Duel · Wines · 4 addresses
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi 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.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini
Donatella Cinelli Colombini · €30 to €60
reliability high
57,81 € 68,59 €
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
15,37 € 18,60 €
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €60 to €120
reliability high
70,28 € 85,76 €
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,55 € 24,47 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi and Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi 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 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini if…
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Sangiovese Grosso, rated 90 points and aged at least five years
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (7,4). James Suckling and Robert Parker rate this Brunello 90 points, i.e. recognized distinctions, without being peaks.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,4 vs 7,8) : €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 care about sangiovese, cabernet et merlot: amenities that only this listing mentions
- your budget matters: from €15 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
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.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG from Frescobaldi, Sangiovese aged at least 24 months, awarded by Gambero Rosso, Veronelli, Bibenda and several international guides
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (8,2). Chianti Rufina DOCG appellation and Rufina sub-zone named, Sangiovese as the sole grape variety, notes of red fruit, spice and balsamic consistent with the appellation.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you prioritise typicité & terroir (8,9 vs 8,6) : Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG, Rufina zone in Tuscany, Sangiovese only; the profile of red fruit, violet and balsamic notes is consistent with the appellation.
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (7,7). James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
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?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese Grosso and the Montalcino zone are named, with a consistent profile of red fruits, spices and earthy notes.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Rufina DOCG appellation and Rufina sub-zone named, Sangiovese as the sole grape variety, notes of red fruit, spice and balsamic consistent with the appellation.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…James Suckling and Robert Parker rate this Brunello 90 points, i.e. recognized distinctions, without being peaks.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Three bicchieri, three Veronelli stars, four Bibenda grappoli, James Suckling 90 and 92, Robert Parker 90, Wine Spectator 91: several top-level distinctions.
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…At €57.81 instead of €68.59, the 90-point DOCG Brunello remains consistent for its appellation, without being a bargain.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Large 3 L format at €70.28 instead of €85.76, i.e. €17.57 per 75 cl: a price consistent with an award-winning DOCG riserva, without being markedly below its standing.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Specific pairings (carni rosse, selvaggina, formaggi stagionati), profile of red fruits, spices, earthy notes and serving 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.
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Specific pairings (red meats, game, aged cheeses), detailed aromatic profile and serving temperature of 16-18°C indicated; nothing about aging potential.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Donatella Cinelli Colombini named; fermentation in acciaio, macerazione lunga and ageing of at least five years, partly in oak barrels.
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 Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Named Frescobaldi, Nipozzano estate located in Rufina, steel fermentation, extended maceration and aging for at least 24 months specified.
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.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –… | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 57,81 € | 15,37 € | 70,28 € | 22,55 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 57,81 € | 15,37 € | 17,57 € | 22,55 € |
| Estate | Donatella Cinelli Colombini | Frescobaldi | Frescobaldi | 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 | Montalcino | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Chianti Rufina & Pomino |
| Price | 30 à 60 € | 15 à 30 € | 60 à 120 € | 15 à 30 € |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | not specified | Sangiovese | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2019 | 2023 | 2023 | 2020 |
| Estate | Donatella Cinelli Colombini | Frescobaldi | Frescobaldi | Frescobaldi |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Sangiovese | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Cabernet | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Merlot | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Colorino | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Malvasia | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Sauvignon | not specified | Yes | not specified | not specified |
If you book or order through one of these links, we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The partner never influences the rating or the verdict.
Change an address
Other well-rated wines
Other duels
Also worth reading
vs
Wines · Chianti Rufina & Pomino
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi or Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi ?
The two best-rated wines: Chianti Rufina & Pomino
vs
Wines · Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori or Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini ?
Same rating, two different addresses
vs
Wines · Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi or Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini ?
Same rating, two different addresses
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health, consume in moderation.
All wines
