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
15,37 € 18,60 €
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 8,4/10, ahead of Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari (7,6) et Doc Cortona Syrah Riserva – Baracchi (7,2). Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Riserva at 90% Sangiovese, named Rufina subzone, awarded Tre Bicchieri and aged a minimum of 24 months, at €15.37. Limitations: 10% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and organic status not specified.
Choose Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (8,4), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et rapport qualité/prix
- you prioritise reconnaissance (8,6 vs 6,2) : Tre Bicchieri, 4 grappoli Bibenda, 3 stelle Veronelli, plus scores of 90 to 92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator: high recognition.
- you prioritise rapport qualité/prix (8,4 vs 7,4) : €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 cabernet, merlot et colorino: amenities that only this listing mentions
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: reconnaissance (6,2). No award or guide cited, producer not attested by any reputation text: simply an absence of information, rating kept within the range.
Choose Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari if…
- you care about prugnolo: the only listing in the head-to-head to mention it
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 –…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.
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 –…Tre Bicchieri, 4 grappoli Bibenda, 3 stelle Veronelli, plus scores of 90 to 92 from Suckling, Parker and Wine Spectator: high recognition.
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 –…€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.
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 –…Pairs with red meats, game and aged cheeses, red fruit and spice profile, served at 16-18 °C: easy to match this riserva.
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 named in Rufina, steel fermentation, wood aging and minimum 24 months specified; neither hand harvesting nor organic certification indicated.
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 | 15,37 € | 29,12 € | 22,07 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 15,37 € | 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 |
| Vintage | 2023 | not specified | 2018 |
| Estate | Frescobaldi | Baracchi | Folonari |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines | Wines |
| Grape variety | not specified | Syrah | not specified |
| Sangiovese | Yes | not specified | Yes |
| Cabernet | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Merlot | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Colorino | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Malvasia | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Sauvignon | Yes | not specified | not specified |
| Prugnolo | not specified | not specified | 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
vs
Wines · 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