Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini ou 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 Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
15,37 € 18,60 €
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
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi and Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi neck and neck
8,4 versus 8,2: the gap is too small to separate them on the overall rating. The choice comes down to the criteria that matter to you, below.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you prioritise reconnaissance (8,6 vs 7,8) : Tre Bicchieri, 4 grappoli Bibenda, 3 stelle Veronelli, plus scores of 90 to 92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator: high recognition.
- you care about sangiovese, cabernet et merlot: amenities that only this listing mentions
Its weak point in this head-to-head: polyvalence à table (8,1). Pairs with red meats, game and aged cheeses, red fruit and spice profile, served at 16-18 °C: easy to match this riserva.
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…
- your budget matters: from €8 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (7,8). 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.
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 –…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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Frescobaldi named in Rufina, steel fermentation, wood aging and minimum 24 months specified; neither hand harvesting nor organic certification indicated.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli… | Morellino di Scansano DOCG –… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 15,37 € | 8,61 € | 7,81 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 15,37 € | 8,61 € | 7,81 € |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Melini | Fattoria dei Barbi |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | medium | medium |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Chianti | Maremma & Montecucco |
| Price | €15 to €30 | Under €15 | Under €15 |
| Vintage | 2023 | not specified | 2022 |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Melini | Fattoria dei Barbi |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Grape variety | not specified | Sangiovese | Sangiovese |
| Origin | not specified | not specified | Maremma wines |
| Sangiovese | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Cabernet | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Merlot | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Colorino | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Malvasia | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Sauvignon | Yes | not specified | not specified |
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