The Magnificent Chianti Classico: 10 Wines, Prices (2024)

Chianti Classico is a delicious dry red wine from the prestigious Chianti wine region in Tuscany, Italy.  

While Chianti was looked upon as mediocre mass-produced wine in the previous century, it has made a comeback in the past few decades. The Chianti Classico is a great example of the more refined and sophisticated wines that come from the region today.

Let’s discover all about Chianti Classico, how it differs from the other Chianti wines in the region, 10 great wines, their investing potential, and some interesting facts about the Chianti Classico region.

What is Chianti Classico?

A wine classified as Chianti Classico has to adhere to specific requirements such as:

• Grape varieties: The wine should contain at least 80% of the Sangiovese grape variety and 20% other red grapes (such as Colorino, Canaiolo, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.) 

The harvest yield should be no more than 7.5 t/ha. The grapes for Chianti Classico usually come from vineyard sites planted at a higher altitude.

• Alcohol content: The wine should have at least 12% alcohol content.
• Aging: After the malolactic fermentation is completed, the final wine should age in oak barrels for at least 10 months. 

If the wine is labeled as Chianti Classico Riserva, it should age for a minimum of 24 months and have an alcohol content of at least 12.5%.

In 2014, a new category of Chianti Classico emerged - the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. These wines are made exclusively with the winery’s own grapes grown according to stricter regulations.

What is the Difference Between Chianti and Chianti Classico?

While Chianti Classico and Chianti are similar in style, they also have a few key differences:

• Grape varieties: The basic Chianti wine is made with a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, while the remaining 30% can be a blend of other red and white grape varieties. 

The harvest yield should not exceed 9 t/ha.

• Alcohol content: Chianti should have an alcohol content of at least 11.5%
• Aging: Basic Chianti is aged for a minimum of 3 months in oak barrels. A wine labeled as Chianti Superiore (a designation within the Chianti DOCG), is aged for a minimum of 9 months.

10 Best Chianti Classico Wines to Buy in 2024

Let’s explore some of the most outstanding Chianti Classico wines:

1. 2016 Il Caggio IPSUS Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG ($346)
2. 2018 Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista ($169)
3. 2016 Felsina Berardenga 'Colonia' ($95)
4. 2010 Castello di Ama 'San Lorenzo' ($67)
5. 2013 Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Riserva ($47)
6. 2020 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro-Gold ($40)
7. 2015 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG ($32)
8. 2018 Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione ($53)
9. 2017 San Giusto A Rentennano Chianti Classico DOCG ($40)
10. 2017 Montesecondo Chianti Classico DOCG ($29)

1. 2016 Il Caggio IPSUS Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG ($346)

This limited edition Italian red wine has an elegant red fruit palate with soft tannins and mild acidity. The nose is perfumed with blackberry, bark, and dried flower aromas.

2. 2018 Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista ($169)

This powerful Chianti Classico wine has a lovely dark purple color, supple tannin mouthfeel, balanced acidity, and black cherry flavor notes. 

The palate also reveals beautiful herbal and earthy undertones that lead to a long and pleasant finish. 

3. 2016 Felsina Berardenga 'Colonia' ($95)

Here we have elegant yet complex Chianti Classico wine with firm tannins and intense cherry flavors. The opulent nose reveals herbal aromas intertwined with bramble and clay undertones.

4. 2010 Castello di Ama 'San Lorenzo' ($67)

This is a beautiful red wine with 13% alcohol content and mesmerizing ruby red color. The palate has a lively sour cherry and smoky notes complimenting the leather and vanilla aroma.

5. 2013 Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Riserva ($47)

Here we have an exquisite Super Tuscan - a blend of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grape varieties made by the legendary Tignanello winemaker. 

The palate is decadent with black cherry and raspberry flavor and hints of earth and leather. 

6. 2020 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro-Gold ($40)

With an alcohol content of 13.5% and heady aroma notes of spice and strawberry, this Ruffino Chianti wine has bright acidity and soft tannins. 

The fruity palate is enriched with anise, pepper, and cinnamon undertones.

7. 2015 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG ($32)

This is a dry red blend of Sangiovese with Syrah and Canaiolo. Its spicy palate is accompanied by hints of herbs, ripe cherry, red fruit, and leather. 

8. 2018 Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione ($53)

Here we have a great Tuscan wine that’s been aged for 21 months in oak barrels. This gives the wine a complex palate with chalk and spice notes, red fruit underlayers, and firm tannins.

9. 2017 San Giusto A Rentennano Chianti Classico DOCG ($40)

This is a great example of a vibrant Chianti Classico - the wine has a perfumed floral nose, a tangy palate, and dominant flavor notes of red fruit. The silky tannin backbone leads to a pleasant lingering finish. 

10. 2017 Montesecondo Chianti Classico DOCG ($29)

This wine has an enchanting aroma bouquet of eucalyptus, cola, and myrtle. The palate showcases lovely notes of dried plum, herbs, hazelnut, and ripe cherry.

Investing in Chianti Classico

The easiest way to add a prestigious Chianti Classico or any other fine wine to your collection is through Vinovest. The advanced wine investment platform can help you buy, store, and sell exceptional bottles from around the world with just a few clicks of your mouse. 

Chianti Classico has a stellar aging potential of 6 to 20 years.

These wines have also shown good price appreciation results over the years. For example, between 2020 and 2021, the 2007 Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista increased by 54% in value, from $153 to $267.

The wines also show up at auction events. For example:

• 12 bottles of 1988 Castello dei Rampolla Chianti Classico Riserva sold for $700 at a Christie’s auction in 2008.
• 6 bottles of Vigna del Sorbo 2016 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva sold for $396 at a Sotheby’s auction in 2021.

Other Interesting Facts About the Chianti Region

Here are some more interesting facts about the Chianti wine region:

When was the first Chianti wine produced?

The first Chianti wine zone (nowadays known as Chianti Classico) was founded in 1716, and the official wine recipe for Chianti was created in 1872 by Baron Bettino Ricasoli.

Which are the main wine-growing Chianti DOCG appellations?

There are seven subregions in the Chianti area: 

• Chianti Rufina
• Colline Pisane
• Colli Senesi
• Colli Fiorentini
• Colli Aretini
• Montespertoli
• Montalbano

What are the main wine-growing regions in the Chianti Classico appellation?

There are nine communes in the Chianti Classico region:

• Castellina in Chianti
• Barberino Val d'Elsa
• Poggibonsi
• Castelnuovo Berardenga
• Tavarnelle Val di Pesa
• San Casciano Val di Pesa
• Greve in Chianti
• Gaiole in Chianti
• Radda in Chianti

What is Chianti Classico’s emblem?

All Chianti Classico producers put a black rooster (Gallo Nero in Italian) seal around the bottleneck. The rooster signifies the legendary border dispute between Florence and Sienna over eight centuries ago.  

What foods pair well with Chianti Classico?

Chianti Classico’s full body and bold flavors go well with savory meat dishes like lamb chops, grilled beef, and wild duck. You can also pair it with traditional Italian dishes like pasta with tomato sauce or pizza.

Chianti Classico: A Magnificent Wine From the Heart of Tuscany

Chianti Classico is a great wine hailing from one of the most prestigious Italian wine regions. It’s an attractive addition to any wine lover’s collection and makes for the perfect drink to pair with your dinner.

If you want to invest in a fine Chianti Classico or any other collectible bottle, check out the Vinovest website.