Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Doc Cortona Syrah Riserva – Baracchi or Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari ?
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.
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,55 € 24,47 €
Doc Cortona Syrah Riserva – Baracchi
Baracchi · €15 to €30
reliability medium
29,12 € 33,70 €
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari
Folonari · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,07 € 24,91 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi takes the lead
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi scores 8,2/10, ahead of Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari (7,6) et Doc Cortona Syrah Riserva – Baracchi (7,2). Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG 2020 from Frescobaldi, Sangiovese from Rufina, rated 93 by James Suckling, at €22.55 instead of €24.47. The main reservation concerns unspecified characteristics such as organic, sulfite-free or vegan.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (8,2), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et rapport qualité/prix
- you prioritise reconnaissance (7,7 vs 6,2) : James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
- you prioritise polyvalence à table (8,2 vs 7,8) : 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.
Choose Doc Cortona Syrah Riserva – Baracchi if…
- 100% Syrah from the Montagna cortonese, DOC Cortona, aged 18 months in barrels and 6 months in bottle, at €29.12 instead of €33.70
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (7,2). DOC Cortona and the Montagna cortonese zone named, 100% Syrah consistent with this area; no mention of Tuscan grape varieties or of a more precise sub-zone.
Choose Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari if…
- you care about sangiovese et prugnolo: amenities that only this listing mentions
- your budget matters: from €22 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,2). No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.
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
Why these ratings?
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.
DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B…DOC Cortona and the Montagna cortonese zone named, 100% Syrah consistent with this area; no mention of Tuscan grape varieties or of a more precise sub-zone.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, 100 % Prugnolo Gentile, Comune di Montepulciano zone between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia: appellation and grape variety named precisely.
Why these ratings?
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…James Suckling 93 for 2020 and 92 for 2021; Frescobaldi is named, but no very high-level distinction is mentioned.
DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B…No award or guide cited, producer not attested by any reputation text: simply an absence of information, rating kept within the range.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.
Why these ratings?
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.
DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B…At 29.12 € (crossed-out price 33.70 €) for a Syrah Riserva di Cortona aged 18 months in barrique, the price remains consistent with the rank described.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…At €22.07 (original price €24.91), this Nobile Riserva 2018 remains within the usual price for its rank, without any distinction that would pull the rating upward.
Why these ratings?
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.
DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B…Precise pairings (red meats, roasts, game) and a detailed aromatic profile (amarena, pepper, juniper, chocolate, tobacco), service indicated between 16 and 18 °C.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Precise pairings (maiale ripieno di coniglio, fegatini, verza con torta di cipolle), detailed aromatic profile, serving at cellar temperature recommended.
Why these ratings?
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.
DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B…Baracchi named and located at Montagna cortonese; stainless steel vinification, maceration of about 30 days, 18 months in barrels and 6 months in bottle specified.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Folonari named and located in Montepulciano; fermentation in stainless steel at 26-28 °C, maceration ≥15 days, 20 months in Slavonian botti, 6 months in bottle.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | DOC Cortona Syrah Riserva – B… | Nobile di Montepulciano Riser… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 22,55 € | 29,12 € | 22,07 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 22,55 € | 29,12 € | 22,07 € |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Baracchi | Folonari |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | medium | high |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo |
| Price | €15 to €30 | €15 to €30 | €15 to €30 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | Syrah | not specified |
| Vintage | 2020 | not specified | 2018 |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Baracchi | Folonari |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Sangiovese | not specified | not specified | Yes |
| Prugnolo | not specified | not specified | Yes |
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