AChianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli
Ricasoli · Over 120 €
reliability high
328,52 € 403,81 €
BChianti DOCG – Melini
Melini · Under €15
reliability medium
10,99 € 13,88 €
The verdict
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli takes the lead
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli scores 8,1/10, ahead of Chianti DOCG – Melini (7,5). 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from Castello di Brolio in Gaiole, rated 94–96 by three guides and sold in a 6 L format. Only drawback: the price of €41.07 for the 75 cl remains high for a trial purchase.
Choose Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (8,1), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et producteur & vinification
- you prioritise reconnaissance (8,6 vs 6,2) : Three top-level distinctions: James Suckling 96, Wine Spectator 95 and Robert Parker 94, with the producer Ricasoli named.
- you prioritise producteur & vinification (8,4 vs 7,3) : Ricasoli named and located at Castello di Brolio; steel fermentation at 24–27 °C, maceration 14–16 days, aging 22 months in 500 L casks, 30% new, plus 8 months.
Its weak point in this head-to-head: rapport qualité/prix (7,4). 6 L large format at €328.52, i.e. €41.07 for the 75 cl, crossed-out price €403.81: consistent for a Gran Selezione rated 94–96.
Choose Chianti DOCG – Melini if…
- you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,0 vs 7,4) : At €10.99 for the 1.5 L magnum, i.e. €5.50 per 75 cl, the price falls below the standard rate for a Chianti DOCG; crossed-out price €13.88.
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,1 vs 7,8) : Pairings with red meats, aged cheeses, pasta with ragù, detailed aromatic profile and serving at 16-18°C: a good number of uses.
- your budget matters: from €11 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,2). No distinction or guide mentioned; the producer Melini is named as a historical player, with no award listed.
Reliability high / medium : ratings based on the file of each listing, not on a stay by our team · Ratings of the 20 October 2026 · Our rating method
Criterion by criterion
The 5 criteria of the score
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se…Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione from Gaiole in Chianti, 100% Sangiovese from the vigneti del Castello di Brolio: designation and zone precisely named.
Chianti DOCG – MeliniChianti DOCG, Sangiovese as the sole grape, Borghi d'Elsa area named, consistent red fruit and floral profile. Broad appellation, no sub-zone cited.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se…Three top-level distinctions: James Suckling 96, Wine Spectator 95 and Robert Parker 94, with the producer Ricasoli named.
Chianti DOCG – MeliniNo distinction or guide mentioned; the producer Melini is named as a historical player, with no award listed.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se…6 L large format at €328.52, i.e. €41.07 for the 75 cl, crossed-out price €403.81: consistent for a Gran Selezione rated 94–96.
Chianti DOCG – MeliniAt €10.99 for the 1.5 L magnum, i.e. €5.50 per 75 cl, the price falls below the standard rate for a Chianti DOCG; crossed-out price €13.88.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se…Precise pairings (red meats, roasts, mushrooms, pasta al ragù), detailed aromatic profile and service indicated at 16–18 °C.
Chianti DOCG – MeliniPairings with red meats, aged cheeses, pasta with ragù, detailed aromatic profile and serving at 16-18°C: a good number of uses.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se…Ricasoli named and located at Castello di Brolio; steel fermentation at 24–27 °C, maceration 14–16 days, aging 22 months in 500 L casks, 30% new, plus 8 months.
Chianti DOCG – MeliniMelini named and located in Borghi d'Elsa; fermentation in steel tanks and ageing of at least 12 months specified, with no mention of organic or manual harvesting.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se… | Chianti DOCG – Melini |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 328,52 € | 10,99 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 41,07 € | 5,50 € |
| Estate | Ricasoli | Melini |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | medium |
| Color | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Classico | San Gimignano & Val d'Elsa |
| Price | More than 120 € | Under €15 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2022 | 2024 |
| Estate | Ricasoli | Melini |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines |
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