Region · Toscana, Italy
Tuscany
tos-KAH-nah
Sangiovese country
Chianti Classico in the hills between Florence and Siena, Brunello to the south, coastal Bolgheri for Cabernet blends. Olive oil, steak, and dust in the glass.
- cherry
- herbs
- iron
- olive
- cedar
Chianti Classico is the region's daily poetry: Sangiovese with optional minor blending, a black rooster on the neck, and a range from juicy to granite-serious (Gran Selezione). Brunello di Montalcino is 100% Sangiovese, longer-aged, and a cellar wine. Vino Nobile sits between them.
The Super Tuscan story — Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Tignanello — is Cabernet and Merlot proving that Bolgheri's coast could speak Bordeaux as fluently as the hills speak Sangiovese. They are Tuscan by passport, international by accent.
The table is the point. If you are drinking Tuscan red without food, you are missing half the wine.
Vintage
Chianti Classico drinks years before Brunello (released in year five). Bolgheri Cabernet follows a Bordeaux clock.
| Year | Call | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Hold | Too early. Chianti will show first. |
| 2024 | Careful | Mixed, wetter stretches. Buy names, not the year. |
| 2023 | Hold | Decent. Brunello is years from the shelf. |
| 2022 | Hold | Hot and dry. Concentration; wait on Brunello. |
| 2021 | Hold | Structured. Chianti Riserva still young. |
| 2020 | Drink | Warm. Everyday Chianti is open. |
| 2019 | Hold | Excellent across the hills. Brunello: patience. |
| 2018 | Drink | Fresh and ready. A friendly year. |
| 2017 | Drink | Hot. Drink the Chianti; don’t over-cellar. |
| 2016 | Hold | Outstanding. Brunello still climbing. |
| 2015 | Drink | Ripe and open, including much Brunello. |
| 2014 | Careful | Wet. Drink remaining bottles. |
| 2013 | Drink | Cooler, elegant, ready. |
| 2012 | Drink | Drought-year density, now open. |
| 2011 | Drink | Hot. Finish the cellar. |
At the table
Service
59–63 °F (15–17 °C). Brunello: decant. Chianti: often ready with a splash in the glass.
