Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori, Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano ou Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi ?
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.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori
Antinori · 30 to 60 €
reliability high
53,69 € 67,89 €
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano
Lilliano · €15 to €30
reliability high
18,03 € 20,07 €
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €60 to €120
reliability high
70,28 € 85,76 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori neck and neck
8,1 versus 8,0: 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 – Antinori if…
- Brunello di Montalcino 2019 from Antinori, Sangiovese Grosso from the Pian delle Vigne estate, aged at least five years and distinguished by Veronelli, Bibenda and three guides at 90
Choose Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilliano if…
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,1 vs 7,8) : Precise pairings (carni rosse, selvaggina, formaggi stagionati) and serving at 16-18 °C, with a profile of red fruits and spices described.
- your budget matters: from €18 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: producteur & vinification (7,6). Lilliano named in Chianti Classico, fermentation in steel and maceration on skins, aging of at least 12 months; barrel type not specified.
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: polyvalence à table (7,6). Specific pairings (red meats, game, aged cheeses), detailed aromatic profile and serving temperature of 16-18°C indicated; nothing about aging potential.
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 –…Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Sangiovese Grosso alone, named Montalcino zone: reference appellation expressed with precision.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Chianti Classico DOCG from the Chianti Classico zone, Sangiovese and notes of red fruits, spices and flowers: terroir and grape variety named, consistent profile.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Tre stelle Veronelli, 5 grappoli Bibenda, James Suckling, Robert Parker and Wine Spectator at 90: several high-level distinctions.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Awards named with their level: 2 stelle Veronelli, 3 bicchieri and 4 grappoli Bibenda, a cluster of recognized distinctions.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…€53.69 instead of €67.89 for a multi-award-winning 2019 Brunello: consistent, even favorable, price for this level.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…€18.03 for a distinguished Chianti Classico DOCG, with a crossed-out price of €20.07: moderate price and real discount for this rank.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Precise pairings (red meats, game, aged cheeses), detailed aromatic profile and serving at 16-18°C: table use well framed.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Precise pairings (carni rosse, selvaggina, formaggi stagionati) and serving at 16-18 °C, with a profile of red fruits and spices described.
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.
Why these ratings?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Antinori named, Pian delle Vigne estate located in Montalcino, fermentation in steel, long maceration and aging of at least five years.
Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli…Lilliano named in Chianti Classico, fermentation in steel and maceration on skins, aging of at least 12 months; barrel type not specified.
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Named Frescobaldi, Nipozzano estate located in Rufina, steel fermentation, extended maceration and aging for at least 24 months specified.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –… | Chianti Classico DOCG – Lilli… | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 53,69 € | 18,03 € | 70,28 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 53,69 € | 18,03 € | 17,57 € |
| Estate | Antinori | Lilliano | Frescobaldi |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | high | high |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Montalcino | Chianti Classico | Chianti Rufina & Pomino |
| Price | €30 to €60 | €15 to €30 | €60 to €120 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Sangiovese | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2019 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Estate | Antinori | Lilliano | Frescobaldi |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
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