Wines of Chianti Rufina & Pomino, compared head to head

Tosco The Toscane Cachée score of 8.4 versus 8.2 separates these two Chianti Rufina Riserva from Frescobaldi, but not for the same reasons. The first, at €15.37, earns a Tre Bicchieri and high recognition with its 90 to 92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator, whereas the second, at €22.55, bets on pure Sangiovese and higher typicality (8.9) with a 93 from Suckling for the 2020. If your budget is tight and you want an awarded, versatile wine, choose the first; if you favor a pure Sangiovese from Rufina with detailed winemaking (long maceration, glass aging), the second suits you better, provided you accept a less flattering value for money.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée score of 8.2 versus 7.9 separates these two Frescobaldi, and the gap mostly comes from recognition: the 2020, scored 93 by James Suckling, is awarded on its own vintage, while the 2022 inherits scores given to 2020 and 2021. For €23 versus €21, choose the first if you want an already distinguished cru and slightly higher typicality (8.9 versus 8.7), with better-rated versatility at the table (8.2 versus 7.4) for red meats or game. The second suits you if you prefer to save €2 and drink a younger wine, accepting that its awards aren't its own; both share the same steel vinification and at least 24 months of aging, with no organic certification specified.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée score of 8.4 versus 7.9 is a clear split: the first, at €15.37, earns Tre Bicchieri and scores of 90-92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator, while the second, at €21.23, relies on awards that target other vintages than its 2022. If your budget is tight and you want an already acclaimed wine, go for the first; if you prefer a more balsamic profile and the price gap doesn't bother you, the second remains a solid Frescobaldi, but with less current recognition. Both share the same steel vinification and 24 months of aging, with no organic certification specified, so choose according to your portfolio and your thirst for awards.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée score of 8.2 versus 7.9 separates these two Sangiovese from Rufina, but the gap is slim and depends mostly on typicality, more pronounced for the 2020 at €23, with its red fruit, violet and balsamic profile. If you're looking for a bottle for a simple dinner at a gentle price, the 2020 vintage scored 93 by James Suckling is a coherent choice, while the €38 version, multi-awarded (three bicchieri, 3 stelle Veronelli), is for those who want an aging potential beyond a decade for a special occasion. For a small budget or everyday table, take the first; to impress informed enthusiasts with a more complex Riserva, the second justifies its price.

Tosco The Toscane Cachée score of 8.1 versus 7.9 separates these two riserva from the same estate, but it's mostly the format that decides: the first, in 3 L at €70.28, works out to €17.57 per 75 cl, a price consistent with a awarded DOCG, while the second, at €37.72, is clearly below its rank for a classic bottle. If you want to impress a large table with a large format and at least 24 months of aging, choose the first; for a more intimate tasting, an aging potential beyond a decade and a tight budget, the second suits you better, with about 18 months of barrel vinification. Both display almost identical recognition (three bicchieri, 90 points), so the slim gap is decided by price and use, not by quality.