Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero90 haFounded 1972Lorenza Sebasti and Marco PallantiWinemaker Marco PallantiChianti Classico DOCG
Founded in 1972 in the hamlet of Ama at Gaiole in Chianti, the estate produces single-vineyard Gran Selezione bottlings from Bellavista and La Casuccia and pairs the wine programme with a contemporary art collection.
Tasting: Cellar tour, hamlet walk, art collection and tasting flight bookable through the estate; the property hosts a contemporary art programme with installations by Anish Kapoor and Louise Bourgeois.
Signature wines: castello-di-ama-vigneto-bellavista, castello-di-ama-vigneto-la-casuccia, castello-di-ama-haiku, castello-di-ama-l-apparita
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2019), Vinous 95 (2018)
Chianti Classico DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia Nera55 haFounded 1968Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della LeonessaWinemaker Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa with Vittorio Fiore consultingChianti Classico DOCG
Castelnuovo Berardenga property owned since 1968 by Principessa Coralia Pignatelli, producing some of Chianti Classico's longest-lived traditionally-styled Riservas.
Tasting: Estate visits and tasting flights by appointment; lunch available in the borgo with prior reservation.
Signature wines: castell-in-villa-chianti-classico-riserva, castell-in-villa-poggio-delle-rose-riserva, castell-in-villa-santacroce
Scores: Vinous 95 (2016), Wine Advocate 94 (2016)
Chianti Rufina DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malvasia Nera250 haFounded 1000Frescobaldi family (Marchesi Frescobaldi)Winemaker Niccolo d'AfflittoChianti Rufina DOCG
Frescobaldi's Rufina estate, in the family since 1000 AD and on its current 250-hectare scale since the mid-19th century. Montesodi single-vineyard Sangiovese is the long-running flagship.
Tasting: Castle tours, cellar visits, vineyard tastings and lunch in the medieval estate by reservation; one of the Frescobaldi estate-visit anchors.
Signature wines: nipozzano-vecchie-viti, nipozzano-montesodi, nipozzano-chianti-rufina-riserva
Scores: Wine Advocate 95 (2019), Vinous 94 (2018)
Chianti Rufina DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia Nera60 haFounded 1827Federico Giuntini MassetiWinemaker Federico Giuntini Masseti with Franco Bernabei consultingICEAChianti Rufina DOCG
Family-owned Chianti Rufina estate since 1827, certified organic by ICEA. The Bucerchiale single-vineyard Riserva is among Tuscany's most consistently age-worthy Sangiovese under €40.
Tasting: Cellar visits, vineyard walks and tastings by appointment; the Bucerchiale single-vineyard is the long-running flagship.
Signature wines: selvapiana-bucerchiale, selvapiana-chianti-rufina, selvapiana-fornace
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2019), Vinous 95 (2019)
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico DOCG, and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia Nera, Colorino117 haFounded 1435Mazzei family (brothers Filippo and Francesco Mazzei; Filippo's son Giovanni represents the 25th generation)Winemaker Carlo Ferrini consulting with the Mazzei familyChianti Classico DOCG (Castellina in Chianti)
Mazzei has owned Castello di Fonterutoli at Castellina since 1435. Today 117 hectares of vineyards across 120 parcels, with the Castello Fonterutoli Gran Selezione, the Sangiovese-Merlot Siepi IGT, and the 1981-launched Concerto.
Tasting: Estate tour and tasting at the Fonterutoli hamlet, plus the Osteria di Fonterutoli restaurant; booking via mazzei.it. The cellar at Castellina is open by appointment.
Signature wines: castello-fonterutoli-gran-selezione, siepi, concerto-di-fonterutoli, poggio-badiola
Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2019), James Suckling 97 (2019)
Morellino di Scansano DOCGSangiovese, Alicante, Malvasia Nera€14-18 retail
Elisabetta Geppetti reference Morellino. Sangiovese-led but generous and warm in the Maremma idiom: dark plum, Mediterranean herb and soft tannin for under twenty euros.
Tip: Earlier-drinking than Chianti Classico annata; serve with grilled cinta senese pork or wild boar pappardelle.