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Duel · Wines · 4 addresses

Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini, Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini ou Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi ?

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

Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melini

Melini · Under €15

7,6
GoodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability medium

7,55 € 9,27 €

B

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi

Frescobaldi · €60 to €120

8,1
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

70,28 € 85,76 €

C

Chianti Superiore DOCG – Melini

Melini · Under €15

7,7
GoodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability medium

8,61 € 10,64 €

D

Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi

Fattoria dei Barbi · Under €15

8,2
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability medium

7,81 € 9,26 €

The verdict

Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi and Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi neck and neck

8,2 versus 8,1: 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 DOCG Riserva – Melini if…

  • your budget matters: from €8 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head

Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,1). No distinction or guide cited for this Chianti Riserva; the producer Melini is named, with no attested reputation in the texts.

Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…

  • you prioritise reconnaissance (8,6 vs 7,8) : Three bicchieri, three Veronelli stars, four Bibenda grappoli, James Suckling 90 and 92, Robert Parker 90, Wine Spectator 91: several top-level distinctions.

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.

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…

  • you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,5 vs 8,1) : 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.

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 medium / 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

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniChianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…
TypicityRecognitionValueVersatilityProducer
Typicity & terroir25 %editorial
7,9
8,2
8,3
8,4
Why these ratings?

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniChianti DOCG Riserva appellation and Sangiovese grape variety named, Chianti area; cherry and violet notes consistent. No specific sub-zone.

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 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.

Recognition20 %editorial
6,1
8,6
6,1
7,8
Why these ratings?

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniNo distinction or guide cited for this Chianti Riserva; the producer Melini is named, with no attested reputation in the texts.

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 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.

Value for money25 %editorial
8,1
7,8
7,8
8,5
Why these ratings?

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniAt €7.55, crossed-out price €9.27, this Chianti DOCG Riserva remains well positioned for a bottle of this level.

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 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.

Versatility at the table15 %editorial
7,6
7,6
8,6
8,2
Why these ratings?

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniFood pairings cited (red meats, game, aged cheeses), profile of cherry, spices, violet, serving at 18-20 °C; fairly limited range of pairings.

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 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.

Producer & winemaking15 %editorial
8,1
8,3
7,6
7,8
Why these ratings?

Chianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniProducer Melini named, traditional vinification with extended maceration and aging of at least 24 months; neither organic nor manual harvesting specified.

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Named Frescobaldi, Nipozzano estate located in Rufina, steel fermentation, extended maceration and aging for at least 24 months 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.

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”.

CriterionChianti DOCG Riserva – MeliniChianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Chianti Superiore DOCG – Meli…Morellino di Scansano DOCG –…
Recorded price7,55 € 9,27 €70,28 € 85,76 €8,61 € 10,64 €7,81 € 9,26 €
Price per 75 cl7,55 €17,57 €8,61 €7,81 €
EstateMeliniFrescobaldiMeliniFattoria dei Barbi
Traveller ratingnot specifiednot specifiednot specifiednot specified
Reliability of our scoremediumhighmediummedium
ColorRedRedRedRed
AreaChiantiChianti Rufina & PominoChiantiMaremma & Montecucco
PriceUnder €15€60 to €120Under €15Under €15
Grape varietySangioveseSangioveseSangioveseSangiovese
Vintage20212023not specified2022
EstateMeliniFrescobaldiMeliniFattoria dei Barbi
Bottle or gift boxWinesWinesWinesWines
Originnot specifiednot specifiednot specifiedMaremma wines
7,6
Chianti DOCG Riserva – Melinifrom €8 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
8,1
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldifrom €70 / 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
8,2
Morellino di Scansano DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbifrom €8 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy

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