Great video once again, thank you! I find Gran Seleziones have a tough time keeping up with the other expression of Sangiovese: Brunello. Price/quality of some of my favorite Brunello producers keep me buying just more basic Chiantis.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for weighing in with your buying practices. Do you find the CCR pricing to be too close to Brunello and too high relative to some Chianti DOCG?
@@AttorneySomm In general yes. But I drink most wines in roughly two situations. First is with diner, then I’d mostly prefer BdM and Poggione amongst others is very competitive. As a stand alone wine CCR is quite strong for my taste and I’d prefer annatas like Isole e Olena. So although in general I’d agree with your remarks on CCR, for me they fall a bit in between. Living in Europe with different price levels might also be relevant here.
Outstanding explanation of the Chianti Classico region including its history, terroir, and categories as well as Sangiovese and recommended producers. Excellent presentation of well-researched and first-hand information plus expert insights and assessments. No one explains these things like you do. Santé, John!
Thanks very much! Completely agree. I had a couple more in my original outline (including one you mention), but ultimately limited it to three because the video was already quite long. Cheers!
Great video. I've been drinking quite a bit of the Volpaia which I discovered a few months back. Now that the farmers' market is in full swing, the fresh produce, especially, the tomatoes, it's a great wine to have on hand. I've not had the Fontodi, but will look for one. Thanks.
Another outstanding video John! I always enjoy your history and information part of your videos as much as I do the wine recommendations. I think you might have been a teacher in a previous life.😝
@@sanjaypatelmd4669 They should be widely available even at large places like wine dot com or total wine. Jimmys in Dallas has most too. Maybe try a search on wine searcher to see who has locally. Can filter by location.
Very good video! One could have added Castello di Ama: 100 percent merlot Vigna l'Apparita can be really great, or take Chianti Vigna Montebuoni - crazy value! P.S.: fortunately, I have bought some Flaccianello 2016! Cheers!
Thanks, John. Excellent video. I mentioned in a comment on one of your recent shorts that I had purchased three bottles of Volpaia Gran Selezione, Coltassala, 2019, the first bottle of which I shall open in a couple of years. I also have a few bottles of Fontodi, Annata, 2019, which I have not tried yet. We have friends coming round for dinner in a couple of weeks and they love Chianti - seems a no-brainer. Now to plan the menu. Incidentally, I have always found Rufina to be good value every day Chianti. The Wine Society, from whom I buy most of my wine these days, sells a more than acceptable own label Rufina at a good price. Have you tried it?
Thanks very much, Steven! Yes, I had already written this script and included Volpaia and that Gran Selezione when I saw your comment. Definitely think that the Fontodi Annata is a terrific choice for your event! Hope everyone enjoys it. Last September I visited Rufina and spent a day at Frescobaldi. I definitely enjoyed that experience and the wines as well. That may be the subject of a future video at some point.
I have been checking through my stocks at the Wine Society and I had forgotten that I had already purchased, en primeur, a three-bottle case of Barone Ricasoli, Gran Selezione, 2019. This is in addition to the Volpaia, so I am richer (in wine) than I had thought. Like finding 2x£50 notes down the back of the sofa. Have you tasted the Ricasoli GS?
Flaccianello seems to be going the same way as Tignanello pricewise. Just over 5 years ago I bought the 2015 for less than £350 for 6. It's doubled in price in that period and the newer vintages are similarly priced.
Hello! Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll certainly give that some thought. In the meantime, definitely consider the second wines from places like Ornellaia and Sassicaia with a few years of age.
My videos about Brunello di Montalcino th-cam.com/video/2hsBf1Wg-p0/w-d-xo.html and Super Tuscan Wines are linked in this comment th-cam.com/video/M50a0tNuRBc/w-d-xo.html. Cheers!
Thank you for a great video again. I love Chianti, but I am not wealthy enough to buy the top wines 😅. That said..when are you going to talk about a producer which almost no-one talks about. "Le Puy" has some excellent wines, including Emilien and Barthelemy. I recently had a Le Puy Emilien from 2010 [ and I still have a few bottles of that year in my cellar ] and it was phenomenal! Check it out if you can (and let us know what you think!) ^_^
Thanks for the kind feedback! Glad you enjoyed the video! Also appreciate the suggestion. I'll have to see if I can track it down and try some wines from this producer. Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm let me know if you can't track it down. I have a few bottles left and I could sent a bottle to you. if you don't want that I know where you can buy it here in europe. I am sure we can arrange something. cheers ! rick.
It’s funny how they come up with all these regulations and then the best wines are outside of that. Also at the low end a gallo Nero does not protect you from being bad wine. Why not let the market decide?!
Agree there is still some uninspiring wine at the low end. For better or worse, they are pushing the high end to try to improve the perceived prestige of the region and drive the market. The market will still ultimately be the judge.
@@AttorneySomm Don‘t think they are pushing the high end as it falls out of the systematic. Really not sure if it pushes quality overall. I mean we should not forget that all the money that goes into making and controlling the regulations is not used to make the wine better / worsens value for money.
I wonder why Gran Selezione requires estate fruit? That doesn’t really translate to higher quality consistently. Sounds more like a marketing gimmick paired with elitism.
I know that there was a lot of discussion about that requirement. At one point it was going to be from a single vineyard. It eventually ended up as estate fruit. I agree that criteria by itself doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality.
Another great list of recommendations! Everyone in our group is a BIG fan. Thanks for sharing your enormous talent.
Thanks very much! Very glad you enjoyed it. And certainly appreciate the support! Cheers!
Great video once again, thank you! I find Gran Seleziones have a tough time keeping up with the other expression of Sangiovese: Brunello. Price/quality of some of my favorite Brunello producers keep me buying just more basic Chiantis.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for weighing in with your buying practices. Do you find the CCR pricing to be too close to Brunello and too high relative to some Chianti DOCG?
@@AttorneySomm In general yes. But I drink most wines in roughly two situations. First is with diner, then I’d mostly prefer BdM and Poggione amongst others is very competitive. As a stand alone wine CCR is quite strong for my taste and I’d prefer annatas like Isole e Olena. So although in general I’d agree with your remarks on CCR, for me they fall a bit in between. Living in Europe with different price levels might also be relevant here.
@@bartdunsbergen6010 That makes sense. Thank you!
Outstanding explanation of the Chianti Classico region including its history, terroir, and categories as well as Sangiovese and recommended producers. Excellent presentation of well-researched and first-hand information plus expert insights and assessments. No one explains these things like you do. Santé, John!
Grazie mille, Margaux! Very pleased you enjoyed it! Such a terrific region and one that I think is very much on the rise! Sante!
@@AttorneySomm I agree with you, John! So perhaps it’s a good time to revisit this region, or maybe after a couple of years.😊
@@AttorneySomm Prego! 😊
Isole e Olena is outstanding. I remember the first time I had it 🤯. Fantastic content !
Thank you! Yes, I was going to include that producer as well, but got carried away and the video was getting too long. Cheers!
Is that the Duomo in Florence at 3:39? Nice!
It is indeed! Good catch!
Great selections, there are so many good producers in Chianti making amazing wines. I would also add Isole e Olena and Castellare in your choices
Thanks very much! Completely agree. I had a couple more in my original outline (including one you mention), but ultimately limited it to three because the video was already quite long. Cheers!
Great video. I've been drinking quite a bit of the Volpaia which I discovered a few months back. Now that the farmers' market is in full swing, the fresh produce, especially, the tomatoes, it's a great wine to have on hand. I've not had the Fontodi, but will look for one. Thanks.
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoy Volpaia too. Hope you enjoy Fontodi as much as I do!
Great video with a lot of new technical knowledge passed on. Keep up the good work. 🏅🍷
Thanks very much! Greatly appreciate it. 👍🍷
Tried Castello di Monsanto Riserva. Enjoyed it very much with cheeses and bread. What a value!
Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed it too! One of my favorites for sure. Cheers!
Another outstanding video John! I always enjoy your history and information part of your videos as much as I do the wine recommendations. I think you might have been a teacher in a previous life.😝
Thank you! Much appreciated! Very pleased you enjoyed it! The courtroom experience helps! Have to explain IP infringement issues to a jury at times.
Thanks John👍. Quality video🍾
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. 👍🍷
Wanted to learn these wines….thank you.
My pleasure! Hope you enjoy the video. Definitely some very impressive wines from this region.
@@AttorneySomm million dollar question … where do I find these wines?
@@sanjaypatelmd4669 They should be widely available even at large places like wine dot com or total wine. Jimmys in Dallas has most too. Maybe try a search on wine searcher to see who has locally. Can filter by location.
The Monsanto C.C. Riserva is always an elegant wine without having to take out a second mortgage.
Completely agree with you! One of the few wines for which I buy a case (or more).
thank you for another interesting video !
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it! 👍🍷
@@AttorneySomm absolutely ! ^_^
@@AttorneySomm I did ! ^_^ I sent you an email btw. thank you for all your efforts and hope to see you in person someday. rw.
@@rickwezenaar Sounds good! To my Gmail? I’ll check.
@@rickwezenaar Actually I don’t see the email.
Very good video! One could have added Castello di Ama: 100 percent merlot Vigna l'Apparita can be really great, or take Chianti Vigna Montebuoni - crazy value! P.S.: fortunately, I have bought some Flaccianello 2016! Cheers!
Cheers! Thanks very much for the worthy additions! Had to keep it at 3 since the video was already running so long. 👍🍷
Thanks, John. Excellent video. I mentioned in a comment on one of your recent shorts that I had purchased three bottles of Volpaia Gran Selezione, Coltassala, 2019, the first bottle of which I shall open in a couple of years. I also have a few bottles of Fontodi, Annata, 2019, which I have not tried yet. We have friends coming round for dinner in a couple of weeks and they love Chianti - seems a no-brainer. Now to plan the menu.
Incidentally, I have always found Rufina to be good value every day Chianti. The Wine Society, from whom I buy most of my wine these days, sells a more than acceptable own label Rufina at a good price. Have you tried it?
Thanks very much, Steven! Yes, I had already written this script and included Volpaia and that Gran Selezione when I saw your comment. Definitely think that the Fontodi Annata is a terrific choice for your event! Hope everyone enjoys it. Last September I visited Rufina and spent a day at Frescobaldi. I definitely enjoyed that experience and the wines as well. That may be the subject of a future video at some point.
I have been checking through my stocks at the Wine Society and I had forgotten that I had already purchased, en primeur, a three-bottle case of Barone Ricasoli, Gran Selezione, 2019. This is in addition to the Volpaia, so I am richer (in wine) than I had thought. Like finding 2x£50 notes down the back of the sofa. Have you tasted the Ricasoli GS?
@@stevenholt4936 Very nice! Have not tried that one yet.
Monsanto’s Riserva is something I always recommend. It’s widely available, affordable, and ages nicely in the medium term
Thank you! Very much agree. I go through a lot of that wine at my house.
Every time i hear about Chianti, I think of Hannibal Lecter. Great video.
Ha! Yes, a classic! Thank you!
I ordered some bottles of Candialle Chianti Classico Riserva 2016. Quality wine around 30€/bottle
Glad to hear it! Hope that you enjoy them! Sounds like pretty solid pricing for a vintage with a few years on it.
Flaccianello seems to be going the same way as Tignanello pricewise. Just over 5 years ago I bought the 2015 for less than £350 for 6. It's doubled in price in that period and the newer vintages are similarly priced.
Agreed. Pricing is definitely much higher for that one, unfortunately. Terrific buy on the 15!
Would you consider doing a video on your favorite super tuscans ready to drink today under $100?
Hello! Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll certainly give that some thought. In the meantime, definitely consider the second wines from places like Ornellaia and Sassicaia with a few years of age.
@@AttorneySomm thanks John! Cheers 🍾
@@camelbro Cheers! They will cost much less too, at least on release they are $50-60
Felsina and castello di bossi are also my favorites
Thanks very much! Appreciate it. Was going to mention more producers, but it was already long. 👍🍷
My videos about Brunello di Montalcino th-cam.com/video/2hsBf1Wg-p0/w-d-xo.html and Super Tuscan Wines are linked in this comment th-cam.com/video/M50a0tNuRBc/w-d-xo.html. Cheers!
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is going through a similar process as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione with their Pieve system.
Thank you! 👍🍷
@@AttorneySommCheck out Casa di Monte. Incredible Chianti Classico that not a lot of people know about.
Thank you for a great video again. I love Chianti, but I am not wealthy enough to buy the top wines 😅. That said..when are you going to talk about a producer which almost no-one talks about. "Le Puy" has some excellent wines, including Emilien and Barthelemy. I recently had a Le Puy Emilien from 2010 [ and I still have a few bottles of that year in my cellar ] and it was phenomenal! Check it out if you can (and let us know what you think!) ^_^
Thanks for the kind feedback! Glad you enjoyed the video! Also appreciate the suggestion. I'll have to see if I can track it down and try some wines from this producer. Cheers!
@@AttorneySomm let me know if you can't track it down. I have a few bottles left and I could sent a bottle to you. if you don't want that I know where you can buy it here in europe. I am sure we can arrange something. cheers ! rick.
@@rickwezenaar Thanks, Rick! Much appreciated! Cheers!
It’s funny how they come up with all these regulations and then the best wines are outside of that. Also at the low end a gallo Nero does not protect you from being bad wine. Why not let the market decide?!
Agree there is still some uninspiring wine at the low end. For better or worse, they are pushing the high end to try to improve the perceived prestige of the region and drive the market. The market will still ultimately be the judge.
@@AttorneySomm Don‘t think they are pushing the high end as it falls out of the systematic. Really not sure if it pushes quality overall. I mean we should not forget that all the money that goes into making and controlling the regulations is not used to make the wine better / worsens value for money.
I wonder why Gran Selezione requires estate fruit? That doesn’t really translate to higher quality consistently. Sounds more like a marketing gimmick paired with elitism.
I know that there was a lot of discussion about that requirement. At one point it was going to be from a single vineyard. It eventually ended up as estate fruit. I agree that criteria by itself doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality.