Duel · Wines · 3 addresses
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi, Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro or Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro?
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 €
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro
Il Borro · €30 to €60
reliability medium
40,44 € 49,88 €
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro
Il Borro · €30 to €60
reliability medium
47,79 € 52,20 €
The verdict
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi takes the lead
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi scores 8,2/10, ahead of Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro (7,3) et Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro (7,3). 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, rapport qualité/prix et polyvalence à table
- you prioritise typicité & terroir (8,9 vs 6,8) : 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 rapport qualité/prix (7,6 vs 6,6) : 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.
- your budget matters: from €23 / btl, the lowest price in the head-to-head
Choose Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro if…
- a Toscana IGT 2020 from Il Borro, in Valdarno, blending Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged 18 months in barrique and recognized with three bicchieri
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (6,8). IGT Toscana without a named sub-zone, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with no described link to Valdarno: an international style with little local grounding.
Choose Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro if…
- il Borro produces a 2017 Toscana IGT blending Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged 18 months in barrique and distinguished with three bicchieri
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (6,8). IGT Toscana without sub-zone, blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with no described link to the Valdarno: limited Tuscan anchoring.
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.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroIGT Toscana without a named sub-zone, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with no described link to Valdarno: an international style with little local grounding.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroIGT Toscana without sub-zone, blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with no described link to the Valdarno: limited Tuscan anchoring.
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.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroThree bicchieri, three stelle Veronelli, four viti AIS, James Suckling 90, Robert Parker 90 and Wine Spectator 90: numerous and named accolades.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroThree bicchieri, three stelle Veronelli, four viti and several 90 points (Suckling, Parker, Wine Spectator): numerous and named distinctions.
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.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroAt €40.44 instead of €49.88, the price remains high for an IGT without a riserva mention, despite the accolades displayed.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro€47.79 for a Toscana IGT with a Bordeaux-style blend, even with a crossed-out price of €52.20 and distinctions: expensive for what is described.
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.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroPrecise pairings (red meats, aged cheeses), a profile of red fruits, spices and balsamic notes, serving at 16-18 °C: a coherent and easy-to-serve whole.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroPrecise pairings (carni rosse, formaggi stagionati), profile of frutti rossi, spezie, balsamic notes and serving at 16-18°C: good use at the table.
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.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroIl Borro named and located in Valdarno, fermentation in steel tanks, 22-day maceration and 18 months in French oak barriques: detailed practices.
Toscana IGT Rosso – Il BorroIl Borro named and located in the Valdarno, fermentation in tini d'acciaio, 22-day maceration and 18 months in French oak barriques: detailed practices.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro | Toscana IGT Rosso – Il Borro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 22,55 € | 40,44 € | 47,79 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 22,55 € | 40,44 € | 47,79 € |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Il Borro | Il Borro |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | high | medium | medium |
| Color | Red | Red | Red |
| Area | Chianti Rufina & Pomino | Valdarno | Valdarno |
| Price | €15 to €30 | €30 to €60 | €30 to €60 |
| Grape variety | Sangiovese | not specified | not specified |
| Vintage | 2020 | 2020 | 2017 and earlier |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Il Borro | Il Borro |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Cabernet | not specified | Yes | Yes |
| Merlot | not specified | Yes | Yes |
| Syrah | not specified | Yes | Yes |
| Sauvignon | not specified | Yes | Yes |
Bottle of ItalyIf you book or order through one of these links, we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The partner never influences the rating or the verdict.
Change an address
Other well-rated wines
Other duels
Also worth reading
vsWines · Chianti Rufina & Pomino
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi or Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi ?
The two best-rated wines: Chianti Rufina & Pomino
vs
Wines · Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Antinori or Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini ?
Same rating, two different addresses
vsWines · Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Fattoria dei Barbi or Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Donatella Cinelli Colombini ?
Same rating, two different addresses
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health, consume in moderation.
All wines