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Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi ou Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini ?

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.

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A

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori

Antinori · 30 to 60 €

8,0
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

53,69 € 67,89 €

B

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi

Frescobaldi · €15 to €30

8,4
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

15,37 € 18,60 €

C

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi

Frescobaldi · €15 to €30

8,2
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

22,55 € 24,47 €

D

Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini

Melini · Under €15

7,7
GoodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability medium

8,61 € 10,64 €

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 – 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

Its weak point in this head-to-head: rapport qualité/prix (7,6). €53.69 instead of €67.89 for a multi-award-winning 2019 Brunello: consistent, even favorable, price for this level.

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

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 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.
  • you prioritise producteur & vinification (8,4 vs 8,1) : Frescobaldi is named; steel fermentation, long maceration, aging of at least 24 months and three months of aging in glass are specified.

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.

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.
  • your budget matters: from €9 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head

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.

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

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…
TypicityRecognitionValueVersatilityProducer
Typicity & terroir25 %editorial
8,2
8,6
8,9
8,3
Why these ratings?

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Sangiovese Grosso alone, named Montalcino zone: reference appellation expressed with precision.

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 Riserva DOCG, Rufina zone in Tuscany, Sangiovese only; the profile of red fruit, violet and balsamic notes is consistent with the appellation.

Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Chianti Superiore DOCG, sangiovese grosso and the Chianti area in Tuscany: clear anchoring. The unnamed complementary grapes limit the rating.

Recognition20 %editorial
8,4
8,6
7,7
6,1
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 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 –…James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.

Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…No distinction or guide mentioned; Melini is named, but its reputation is not documented. Simply a lack of information.

Value for money25 %editorial
7,6
8,4
7,6
7,8
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 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 –…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.

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.

Versatility at the table15 %editorial
7,8
8,1
8,2
8,6
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 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 –…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.

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.

Producer & winemaking15 %editorial
8,1
7,9
8,4
7,6
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 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 –…Frescobaldi is named; steel fermentation, long maceration, aging of at least 24 months and three months of aging in glass are specified.

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.

Features

Price, estate, grape variety, vintage

What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.

CriterionBrunello di Montalcino DOCG –…Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…
Recorded price53,69 € 67,89 €15,37 € 18,60 €22,55 € 24,47 €8,61 € 10,64 €
Price per 75 cl53,69 €15,37 €22,55 €8,61 €
EstateAntinoriFrescobaldiFrescobaldiMelini
Traveller ratingnot specifiednot specifiednot specifiednot specified
Reliability of our scorehighhighhighmedium
ColorRedRedRedRed
AreaMontalcinoChianti Rufina & PominoChianti Rufina & PominoChianti
Price€30 to €60€15 to €30€15 to €30Under €15
Grape varietySangiovesenot specifiedSangioveseSangiovese
Vintage201920232020not specified
EstateAntinoriFrescobaldiFrescobaldiMelini
Bottle or gift boxWinesWinesWinesWines
Sangiovesenot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
Cabernetnot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
Merlotnot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
Colorinonot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
Malvasianot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
Sauvignonnot specified Yesnot specifiednot specified
8,0
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinorifrom €54 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
8,4
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldifrom €15 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
8,2
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldifrom €23 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
7,7
Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melinifrom €9 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy

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