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Hidden Tuscany

Duel · Wines · 3 addresses

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Doc Cortona Syrah – 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.

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Our verdict
A

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi

Frescobaldi · €15 to €30

8,2
Very goodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

22,55 € 24,47 €

B

Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi

Baracchi · €15 to €30

7,2
GoodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability medium

17,55 € 21,28 €

C

Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari

Folonari · €15 to €30

7,6
GoodHidden Tuscany Rating
reliability high

22,07 € 24,91 €

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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 – 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 – Baracchi if…

  • your budget matters: from €18 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head

Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (7,3). DOC Cortona named with the localities San Martino, Gabbiano, Pietraia, Montanare and Valecchie; the single-grape Syrah nevertheless remains international, hence a typicity without more.

Choose Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari if…

  • you care about sangiovese et prugnolo: amenities that only this listing mentions

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

Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiNobile di Montepulciano Riser…
TypicityRecognitionValueVersatilityProducer
Typicity & terroir25 %editorial
8,9
7,3
8,6
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 – BaracchiDOC Cortona named with the localities San Martino, Gabbiano, Pietraia, Montanare and Valecchie; the single-grape Syrah nevertheless remains international, hence a typicity without more.

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.

Recognition20 %editorial
7,7
6,1
6,2
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 – BaracchiNo distinction or guide cited, and the producer Baracchi is not presented as renowned: nothing allows raising the score.

Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.

Value for money25 %editorial
7,6
7,2
7,3
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 – BaracchiAt €17.55 with a crossed-out price of €21.28, the bottle falls within the usual prices of a Cortona DOC, without distinction to better position it.

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.

Versatility at the table15 %editorial
8,2
7,6
7,8
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 – BaracchiPrecise pairings (roasted red meats, flavorful dishes), detailed profile (maraschino, woodland fruits, black pepper, clove) and recommended serving at 18-20 °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.

Producer & winemaking15 %editorial
8,4
7,9
8,2
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 – BaracchiBaracchi located in Cortona, 25 days of maceration in steel, 12 months in barriques then 4 months in bottle: detailed practices, farming not 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”.

CriterionChianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –…Doc Cortona Syrah – BaracchiNobile di Montepulciano Riser…
Recorded price22,55 € 24,47 €17,55 € 21,28 €22,07 € 24,91 €
Price per 75 cl22,55 €17,55 €22,07 €
EstateFrescobaldiBaracchiFolonari
Traveller ratingnot specifiednot specifiednot specified
Reliability of our scorehighmediumhigh
ColorRedRedRed
AreaChianti Rufina & PominoCortona, Valdichiana & ArezzoCortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
Price€15 to €30€15 to €30€15 to €30
Grape varietySangioveseSyrahnot specified
Vintage2020not specified2018
EstateFrescobaldiBaracchiFolonari
Bottle or gift boxWinesWinesWines
Sangiovesenot specifiednot specified Yes
Prugnolonot specifiednot specified Yes
8,2
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldifrom €23 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
7,2
Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchifrom €18 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy
7,6
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonarifrom €22 / btl
See the offer out of Bottle of Italy

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