Wine&Spirits · Annual Chianti Classico report by Stephanie Johnson

The U.S. magazine Wine&Spirits, read by over 200,000 members of America’s wine community has released its annual report about Chianti Classico. 

Stephanie Johnson, the critic for Italy, led blind panels that tasted 113 new-release wines from the appellation including Gran Selezione and Riserva wines and rated 41 as exceptional (90+) and 16 as Best Buys.

 

Great result (91/100) for Querciabella Chianti Classico 2016: 
This comes from biodynamically farmed, high-elevation vineyards, and the wine’s tart cherry and strawberry flavors capture the brightness of the 2016 vintage. Notes of peppery spice and crunchy herbs add to the appeal.
 
Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 was awarded 90/100:
This Sangiovese includes fruit from biodynamically farmed plots in the Greve, Gaiole and Radda. It shows good freshness for the vintage, with a pleasantly tart edge to the red and black cherry flavors, and muscular tannins that will benefit from a year or two of cellaring.