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.
Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG – Frescobaldi
Frescobaldi · €15 to €30
reliability high
15,37 € 18,60 €
Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi
Baracchi · €15 to €30
reliability medium
17,55 € 21,28 €
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 – 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 7,3) : €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 – Baracchi if…
- a DOC Cortona Syrah signed Baracchi, with a precise production zone, aromas of ripe red fruit and pepper, and 12 months aging in barriques
Its weak point in this head-to-head: reconnaissance (6,1). No distinction or guide cited, and the producer Baracchi is not presented as renowned: nothing allows raising the score.
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 – 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.
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 – 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.
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 – 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.
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 – 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.
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 – 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”.
| Criterion | Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG –… | Doc Cortona Syrah – Baracchi | Nobile di Montepulciano Riser… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 15,37 € | 17,55 € | 22,07 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 15,37 € | 17,55 € | 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 |
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