After 27 editions, the traditional presentation of the new Chianti Classico wines to industry professionals and the press—organized by the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico—took on an innovative format this year, starting with the new name given to the event: Chianti Classico Connection 2021.
Taking into account the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, which would have limited participation and in-person tastings—particularly for international operators—during the usual single event in Florence, the Consorzio decided to organize a “travelling” event. Alongside the tastings held in Florence, in-person sessions were also organized in five additional cities across four different countries: Chicago, London, New York, Munich, and Tokyo. A clear signal of attention toward buyers from the main international markets for Chianti Classico: North America, Europe, and Asia.
We attended the Florence event, which this year—again due to COVID-related restrictions on the use of spaces—moved just a few hundred meters from the usual venue of the former Leopolda Station to the Cloister of the Museum of Santa Maria Novella.
One might say that this is perhaps the only case in which COVID restrictions actually turned into an advantage for the fortunate participants. The Great Cloister of Santa Maria Novella proved to be a fantastic location for tasting the wines, with stations—appropriately spaced—set both indoors and outdoors, along the covered corridors whose vaults and walls are decorated with magnificent frescoes.
A truly unique atmosphere was created, one that combined the millennia-old culture of wine with the magic of a setting where history, art, and beauty seemed to emerge from every single stone.
As every year, the event presented the latest vintages (and more) from the various denominations of wines produced in Chianti Classico, whose qualitative pyramid is formally divided into Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Annata.In particular, we tasted a preview of several Chianti Classico 2020 wines (which will be released on the market starting in October 2021); the latest vintage currently available on the market, Chianti Classico 2019; additional Chianti Classico Annata wines from 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015; Chianti Classico Riserva wines from the most recent release, 2018, back to 2012; and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines ranging from 2018 to 2012.
As for the most recent vintages, we can broadly say that Chianti Classico 2019 showed a generally high level of quality, with some wines reaching absolute excellence. Many of the wines are characterized by great freshness on the palate, with the typical traits of the denomination fully respected: red fruits (crunchy cherry above all), spices, balsamic notes, and minerality, making them very enjoyable to drink already today while also sparking great curiosity about their future evolution.
Below are our three best tastings:
Chianti Classico Cosimo Bojola 2019 – Tenute Squarcialupi La Castellina
Chianti Classico 2019 – Istine
Chianti Classico 2019 – Montesecondo
The 2018 vintage was marked in the vineyard by an inconsistent climate, with changing weather conditions that influenced the vegetative cycle of the vines. This variability was also reflected in the Chianti Classico 2018 wines. Some producers managed to interpret the vintage very well, highlighting floral notes, minerality, and riper red fruit compared to the 2019 vintage. In other cases, however, herbaceous tones prevailed, with green and firm tannins.
Below are our three best tastings:
Chianti Classico 2018 – Castello La Leccia
Chianti Classico 2018 – Vecchie Terre di Montefili
Chianti Classico 2018 – Badia a Coltibuono
The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines clearly displayed their class, while still confirming the differences between vintages: 2018 performed well, 2016 appears excellent with great potential, while 2017 and 2015 showed a more muscular style, consistent with the climatic conditions experienced in the vineyards during those years.
Below are our three best tastings:
Castello di Fonterutoli – Castello di Fonterutoli
San Felice – Il Grigio
Castelli del Grevepesa – Clemente VII
The Chianti Classico Riserva wines largely followed the same qualitative trend as the Gran Selezione, with a few outstanding highlights—particularly from the 2015 vintage.
Below are our three best tastings:
Val delle Corti – Val delle Corti
Podere Castellinuzza – Vecchie Vigne
Castell’in Villa – Castell’in Villa
