Duel · Wines · 4 addresses
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano, Chianti Classico DOCG – Fontodi, Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli ou Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi ?
Four wines compared criterion by criterion with the editorial rating, the recorded price and the amenities. Verdict written by the code, based on the editorial team's justifications.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano
Lilliano · €15 to €30
reliability high
18,03 € 20,07 €
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fontodi
Fontodi · €30 to €60
reliability high
30,80 € 35,70 €
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli
Ricasoli · Over 120 €
reliability high
328,52 € 403,81 €
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
15,37 € 18,60 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi takes the lead
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi scores 8,4/10, ahead of Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli (8,1), Chianti Classico DOCG – Fontodi (8,0) et Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano (7,9). Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Riserva at 90% Sangiovese, named Rufina subzone, awarded Tre Bicchieri and aged a minimum of 24 months, at €15.37. Limitations: 10% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and organic status not specified.
Choose Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano if…
- Chianti Classico DOCG from Lilliano, Sangiovese aged at least 12 months, at €18.03 (crossed-out price €20.07), awarded 2 Veronelli stars, 3 bicchieri and 4 grappoli Bibenda
Its weak point in this head-to-head: producteur & vinification (7,6). Lilliano named in Chianti Classico, fermentation in steel and maceration on skins, aging of at least 12 months; barrel type not specified.
Choose Chianti Classico DOCG – Fontodi if…
- you care about agriculture biologique: the only listing in the head-to-head to mention it
Its weak point in this head-to-head: rapport qualité/prix (7,6). €30.80 instead of €35.70 for an award-winning Chianti Classico DOCG: price consistent with the appellation, without being clearly below its rank.
Choose Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione Gaiole – Ricasoli if…
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 100% Sangiovese from Castello di Brolio in Gaiole, scored 94-96 by three guides and sold in a 6 L format
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (8,4), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et rapport qualité/prix
- you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,4 vs 7,7) : €15.37 for a Chianti Rufina Riserva awarded Tre Bicchieri, with a crossed-out price of €18.60: clearly below the usual price for this tier.
- you prioritise typicité & terroir (8,6 vs 8,2) : Rufina subzone named as DOCG, Sangiovese at 90% with Malvasia Nera and Colorino, galestro soil described: a clear Tuscan anchor, but 10% Merlot and Cabernet.
- you care about sangiovese, cabernet et merlot: amenities that only this listing mentions
Its weak point in this head-to-head: producteur & vinification (7,9). Frescobaldi named in Rufina, steel fermentation, wood aging and minimum 24 months specified; neither hand harvesting nor organic certification indicated.
Reliability high : 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 – Lilli…Chianti Classico DOCG from the Chianti Classico zone, Sangiovese and notes of red fruits, spices and flowers: terroir and grape variety named, consistent profile.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto…Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti Classico zone in Tuscany, Sangiovese: appellation and grape variety named precisely, ruby color and red fruit consistent.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Rufina subzone named as DOCG, Sangiovese at 90% with Malvasia Nera and Colorino, galestro soil described: a clear Tuscan anchor, but 10% Merlot and Cabernet.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Awards named with their level: 2 stelle Veronelli, 3 bicchieri and 4 grappoli Bibenda, a cluster of recognized distinctions.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto…Three bicchieri, three Veronelli stars, four Bibenda grappoli, plus James Suckling, Robert Parker and Wine Spectator at 90: numerous, named distinctions.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Tre Bicchieri, 4 grappoli Bibenda, 3 stelle Veronelli, plus scores of 90 to 92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator: high recognition.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…€18.03 for a distinguished Chianti Classico DOCG, with a crossed-out price of €20.07: moderate price and real discount for this rank.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto…€30.80 instead of €35.70 for an award-winning Chianti Classico DOCG: price consistent with the appellation, without being clearly below its rank.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…€15.37 for a Chianti Rufina Riserva awarded Tre Bicchieri, with a crossed-out price of €18.60: clearly below the usual price for this tier.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Precise pairings (carni rosse, selvaggina, formaggi stagionati) and serving at 16-18 °C, with a profile of red fruits and spices described.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto…Precise pairings (red meats, game, aged cheeses), red fruit, spice and floral notes profile, and service at 16-18°C: easy to serve.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Pairs with red meats, game and aged cheeses, red fruit and spice profile, served at 16-18 °C: easy to match this riserva.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Lilliano named in Chianti Classico, fermentation in steel and maceration on skins, aging of at least 12 months; barrel type not specified.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto…Fontodi named and located between Greve and Panzano, organic mentioned, fermentation in stainless steel, maceration on the skins and aging of at least 12 months: practices detailed.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Frescobaldi named in Rufina, steel fermentation, wood aging and minimum 24 months specified; neither hand harvesting nor organic certification indicated.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli… | Chianti Classico DOCG – Fonto… | Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Se… | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 18,03 € | 30,80 € | 328,52 € | 15,37 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 18,03 € | 30,80 € | 41,07 € | 15,37 € |
| Estate | Lilliano | Fontodi | Ricasoli | Frescobaldi |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | high | high | high |
| Color | Red | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Classico | Chianti Classico | Chianti Classico | Chianti Rufina & Pomino |
| Price | 15 à 30 € | 30 à 60 € | More than 120 € | 15 à 30 € |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Sangiovese | Sangiovese | not specified |
| Vintage | 2024 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Estate | Lilliano | Fontodi | Ricasoli | Frescobaldi |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Organic farming | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Sangiovese | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Cabernet | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Merlot | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Colorino | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Malvasia | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Sauvignon | not specified | not specified | not specified | Yes |
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