Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini, Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini or Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi?
Three 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 DOCG Riserva – Melini
Melini · Under €15
reliability medium
7,55 € 9,27 €
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini
Melini · Under €15
reliability medium
8,61 € 10,64 €
Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi
Fattoria dei Barbi · Under €15
reliability medium
7,81 € 9,26 €
The verdict
Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi takes the lead
Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi scores 8,2/10, ahead of Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini (7,7) et Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini (7,6). Morellino di Scansano DOCG 2022 from Fattoria dei Barbi, Sangiovese from Scansano, distinguished by 3 viti and James Suckling 90 and sold for €7.81. Reservation: aged at least one year, without total duration or organic farming specified.
Choose Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini if…
- you prioritise producteur & vinification (8,1 vs 7,8) : Producer Melini named, traditional vinification with extended maceration and aging of at least 24 months; neither organic nor manual harvesting specified.
- your budget matters: from €8 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,1). No distinction or guide cited for this Chianti Riserva; the producer Melini is named, with no attested reputation in the texts.
Choose Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini if…
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,6 vs 8,2) : Precise pairings (bistecca alla fiorentina, aged cheeses, braises), red fruit-spice profile and service at 16-18 °C: wide versatility at the table.
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,1). No distinction or guide mentioned; Melini is named, but its reputation is not documented. Simply a lack of information.
Choose Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (8,2), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et rapport qualité/prix
- you prioritise reconnaissance (7,8 vs 6,1) : Several distinctions: 3 viti 2020, 3 viti AIS and James Suckling 90 (2021), without reaching the very high level of 95 points or Tre Bicchieri.
- you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,5 vs 8,1) : At €7.81, with a crossed-out price of €9.26, the bottle sits clearly below the usual price of a distinguished DOCG: a very favorable ratio.
Reliability 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 DOCG Riserva – MeliniChianti DOCG Riserva appellation and Sangiovese grape variety named, Chianti area; cherry and violet notes consistent. No specific sub-zone.
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Chianti Superiore DOCG, sangiovese grosso and the Chianti area in Tuscany: clear anchoring. The unnamed complementary grapes limit the rating.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…Appellation DOCG named precisely, Sangiovese grape and the Scansano (Grosseto) zone in Maremma: a clear terroir anchor, coherent red fruit profile.
Why these ratings?
Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniNo distinction or guide cited for this Chianti Riserva; the producer Melini is named, with no attested reputation in the texts.
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…No distinction or guide mentioned; Melini is named, but its reputation is not documented. Simply a lack of information.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…Several distinctions: 3 viti 2020, 3 viti AIS and James Suckling 90 (2021), without reaching the very high level of 95 points or Tre Bicchieri.
Why these ratings?
Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniAt €7.55, crossed-out price €9.27, this Chianti DOCG Riserva remains well positioned for a bottle of this level.
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…8.61 €, crossed-out price 10.64 €, for a Chianti Superiore DOCG: a contained price consistent with the appellation. No distinction justifies a higher price.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…At €7.81, with a crossed-out price of €9.26, the bottle sits clearly below the usual price of a distinguished DOCG: a very favorable ratio.
Why these ratings?
Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniFood pairings cited (red meats, game, aged cheeses), profile of cherry, spices, violet, serving at 18-20 °C; fairly limited range of pairings.
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Precise pairings (bistecca alla fiorentina, aged cheeses, braises), red fruit-spice profile and service at 16-18 °C: wide versatility at the table.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…Precise pairings (carni rosse, arrosti, aged cheeses), red fruit profile, spices and balsamic notes, served at 16-18 °C: a versatile wine.
Why these ratings?
Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniProducer Melini named, traditional vinification with extended maceration and aging of at least 24 months; neither organic nor manual harvesting specified.
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Melini is named; steel fermentation, skin maceration and aging of at least 9 months are specified. Organic and hand harvesting not specified.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…Fattoria dei Barbi named and located in Scansano; stainless steel fermentation, skin maceration and aging of at least 1 year specified, without organic mention.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini | Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli… | Morellino di Scansano DOCG –… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 7,55 € | 8,61 € | 7,81 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 7,55 € | 8,61 € | 7,81 € |
| Estate | Melini | Melini | Fattoria dei Barbi |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | medium | medium | medium |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti | Chianti | Maremma & Montecucco |
| Price | Under €15 | Under €15 | Under €15 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Sangiovese | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2021 | not specified | 2022 |
| Estate | Melini | Melini | Fattoria dei Barbi |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Origin | not specified | not specified | Maremma wines |
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