Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi or Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari ?
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,55 € 24,47 €
Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi
Baracchi · €15 to €30
reliability medium
17,55 € 21,28 €
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari
Folonari · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,07 € 24,91 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi takes the lead
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi scores 8,2/10, ahead of Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari (7,6) et Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi (7,2). Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2020 from Frescobaldi, Sangiovese from Rufina, rated 93 by James Suckling, at €22.55 instead of €24.47. The main reservation concerns unspecified characteristics such as organic, sulfite-free or vegan.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi 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 (7,7 vs 6,2) : James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,2 vs 7,8) : Precise pairings with red meats, game and aged cheeses; serving temperature of 16-18 °C and detailed profile (red fruit, spices, balsamic notes) facilitate the match.
Choose Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi if…
- your budget matters: from €18 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (7,3). DOC Cortona named with the localities San Martino, Gabbiano, Pietraia, Montanare and Valecchie; the single-grape Syrah nevertheless remains international, hence a typicity without more.
Choose Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari if…
- you care about sangiovese et prugnolo: amenities that only this listing mentions
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,2). No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG, Rufina zone in Tuscany, Sangiovese only; the profile of red fruit, violet and balsamic notes is consistent with the appellation.
Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiDOC Cortona named with the localities San Martino, Gabbiano, Pietraia, Montanare and Valecchie; the single-grape Syrah nevertheless remains international, hence a typicity without more.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, 100 % Prugnolo Gentile, Comune di Montepulciano zone between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia: appellation and grape variety named precisely.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiNo distinction or guide cited, and the producer Baracchi is not presented as renowned: nothing allows raising the score.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…At €22.55 versus a crossed-out price of €24.47, this Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2020 rated 93 by James Suckling sits at a price consistent with its appellation.
Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiAt €17.55 with a crossed-out price of €21.28, the bottle falls within the usual prices of a Cortona DOC, without distinction to better position it.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…At €22.07 (original price €24.91), this Nobile Riserva 2018 remains within the usual price for its rank, without any distinction that would pull the rating upward.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Precise pairings with red meats, game and aged cheeses; serving temperature of 16-18 °C and detailed profile (red fruit, spices, balsamic notes) facilitate the match.
Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiPrecise pairings (roasted red meats, flavorful dishes), detailed profile (maraschino, woodland fruits, black pepper, clove) and recommended serving at 18-20 °C.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Precise pairings (maiale ripieno di coniglio, fegatini, verza con torta di cipolle), detailed aromatic profile, serving at cellar temperature recommended.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Frescobaldi is named; steel fermentation, long maceration, aging of at least 24 months and three months of aging in glass are specified.
Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiBaracchi located in Cortona, 25 days of maceration in steel, 12 months in barriques then 4 months in bottle: detailed practices, farming not specified.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Folonari named and located in Montepulciano; fermentation in stainless steel at 26-28 °C, maceration ≥15 days, 20 months in Slavonian botti, 6 months in bottle.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi | Nobile di Montepulciano Riser… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 22,55 € | 17,55 € | 22,07 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 22,55 € | 17,55 € | 22,07 € |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Baracchi | Folonari |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | medium | high |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo |
| Price | €15 to €30 | €15 to €30 | €15 to €30 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Syrah | not specified |
| Vintage | 2020 | not specified | 2018 |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Baracchi | Folonari |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Sangiovese | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Prugnolo | not specified | not specified | Yes |
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