### Chianti Classico 2015 & 2016: In the Right Place at the Right Time

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | FEBRUARY 22, 2019

As Vinous readers know, I have long championed Chianti Classico as a source for pedigreed, ageworthy wines that the average consumer can still afford. That is, thankfully, still true. In 2015 and 2016, wine lovers will find two genuinely great back to back vintages that arrive precisely at a time when producers are seeking greater finesse and precision. The results are nothing less than thrilling.

![](https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1550855014251-Panzano_Cover+copy.jpg)

_A view of Panzano’s famed Conca d’Oro_

**The Stellar 2015 Chianti Classicos, Redux**

In my article, [C_hianti Classico: The Stellar 2015s and Surprising 2014s_](https://vinous.com/articles/chianti-classico-the-stellar-2015s-and-surprising-2014s-jan-2018) I wrote that “The 2015 vintage presents consumers with a tremendous opportunity to acquire fine, cellar worthy wines without spending a fortune. In 2015, the warm growing season yielded rich, sumptuous Chianti Classicos with great depth and intensity.” A year later, I feel the same way. The entry-level wines are a bit juicier than normal, generally a good thing for wines that are meant to be enjoyed upon release. At the high end, the best wines are incredibly exciting. Chianti Classico is a large appellation, so there are bound to be some areas and/or wines that are less successful. In 2015, that manifests itself in some wines that show blocked maturation in tannins that remain coarse, and others that were affected by rain during harvest. But those are very much the exceptions. Overall, 2015 is a very strong, and, in some cases, profound, vintage for Chianti Classico. The wines are rich and sumptuous, the result of an unrelentingly hot summer. Thankfully rain in mid-August was enough to restore balance and freshness in most wines.

![](https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1550857171678-Montevertine+copy.jpg)

_Montevertine’s lineup goes from strength to strength_

**2016: A Classic Vintage in the Making**

As good (or better) as the 2015s are, the 2016s have the potential to surpass them. A balanced growing season with no shock events produced a set of truly exceptional, highly promising wines. The 2016s are distinguished by their superb aromatic presence, silky tannins, layered fruit and fabulous sense of harmony. The 2016s I have tasted so far point to a high quality vintage that may very well turn out to be profound.

**The State of the Union**

Aside from two superb back-to back-vintages, the most obvious trend that is unfolding in Chianti Classico is a decisive move towards making wines of greater finesse and precision. Sangiovese is a variety that has the ability to convey considerable site-specific character. Picking a bit earlier and generally interfering with the fruit as minimally allowed many wines to be particularly strong in 2015, which is, of course great to see.

**In Closing…**

As I finished editing this article and looked at pricing, I could not help but notice how many top estates remain under the radar relative to the quality of their wines. Moreover, prices for most wines remain exceedingly fair. I hope readers will find an opportunity to explore Chianti Classico beyond the tried and true names, some of which are highlighted below.

![](https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1550858249029-Antinori+copy.jpg)

_The cellars at Antinori's new state of the art winery_

**Don’t Miss Wines**

[2015 Antinori Tignanello](https://vinous.com/wines/antinori-tenuta-tignanello-2015-tignanello)

[2015 Antinori Solaia](https://vinous.com/wines/antinori-2015-solaia)

[2015 Castello di Ama L'Apparita](https://vinous.com/wines/castello-di-ama-2015-l-apparita)

[2015 Fattoria La Massa Giorgio Primo](https://vinous.com/wines/fattoria-la-massa-2015-giorgio-primo)

[2015 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia](https://vinous.com/wines/felsina-2015-chianti-classico-riserva-rancia)

[2015 Fèlsina Fontalloro](https://vinous.com/wines/felsina-2015-fontalloro-6707d78f-9b8a-4b8e-aa34-8e15007c841a)

[2015 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo](https://vinous.com/wines/fontodi-2015-chianti-classico-gran-selezione-vigna-del-sorbo)

[2015 Fontodi Flaccianello](https://vinous.com/wines/fontodi-2015-flaccianello-della-pieve)

[2016 Gagliole Valletta](https://vinous.com/wines/gagliole-2016-valletta)

[2013 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione](https://vinous.com/wines/isole-e-olena-2013-chianti-classico-gran-selezione)

[2016 Jurji Fiore & Figlia Chianti Classico Lamole NonLoSò](https://vinous.com/wines/jurij-fiore-figlia-2016-chianti-classico-lamole-nonloso)

[2015 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte](https://vinous.com/wines/montevertine-2015-le-pergole-torte-e66d7b93-b4c6-4210-996b-ffd18ab72891)

[2013 Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Riserva](https://vinous.com/wines/montevertine-2013-le-pergole-torte-50)

[2015 Podere Il Carnasciale Il Caberlot](https://vinous.com/wines/podere-il-carnasciale-2015-il-caberlot-magnum)

[2015 Podere Spazzavento Grano delle Formiche](https://vinous.com/wines/podere-spazzavento-2015-grano-delle-formiche)

[2015 Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione](https://vinous.com/wines/poggio-scalette-2015-il-carbonaione)

[2013 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino](https://vinous.com/wines/rocca-di-montegrossi-2013-chianti-classico-vigneto-san-marcellino)

[2016 Querciabella Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/querciabella-2016-chianti-classico)

[2015 San Giusto a Rentennano Percarlo](https://vinous.com/wines/san-giusto-a-rentennano-2015-percarlo)

[2015 San Giusto a Rentennano La Ricolma](https://vinous.com/wines/san-giusto-a-rentennano-2015-la-ricolma)

[2016 Tenuta Di Trinoro Campo di Camagi](https://vinous.com/wines/tenuta-di-trinoro-2016-campo-di-camagi)

[2016 Tenuta di Trinoro Trinoro](https://vinous.com/wines/tenuta-di-trinoro-2016-trinoro)

[2015 Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva](https://vinous.com/wines/vecchie-terre-di-montefili-2015-chianti-classico-riserva)

![](https://allgrapes.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads%2F1550857157316-Ama+copy.jpg)

_A landscape view of Castello di Ama_

**Best Values**

[2015 Antinori Villa Antinori](https://vinous.com/wines/antinori-2015-villa-antinori)

[2015 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva](https://vinous.com/wines/castello-di-monsanto-2015-chianti-classico-riserva)

[2016 Ca’ di Pesa Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/ca-di-pesa-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 Fattoria La Massa La Massa](https://vinous.com/wines/fattoria-la-massa-2016-la-massa)

[2016 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Berardenga](https://vinous.com/wines/felsina-2016-chianti-classico-berardenga)

[2016 Giacomo Mori Chianti](https://vinous.com/wines/giacomo-mori-2016-chianti)

[2016 Pagliarese Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/pagliarese-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 Petrolo Torrione](https://vinous.com/wines?utf8=✓&search-filter=reviews&query=2016+torrione)

[2015 Il Palazzino Chianti Classico Chianti Classico Argenina](https://vinous.com/wines/il-palazzino-2015-chianti-classico-argenina)

[2016 Piazzano Colorino](https://vinous.com/wines/piazzano-2016-colorino)

[2016 Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/rocca-di-castagnoli-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/rocca-di-montegrossi-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/san-giusto-a-rentennano-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/tenuta-di-capraia-2016-chianti-classico)

[2016 Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole](https://vinous.com/wines/tenuta-di-trinoro-2016-le-cupole)

[2016 Volpaia Chianti Classico](https://vinous.com/wines/volpaia-2016-chianti-classico)

This article covers wines in and around Chianti Classico. A forthcoming report will look at wines from Montepulciano, Carmignano and Maremma.

**You Might Also Enjoy**

[Rocca di Montegrossi: Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino 1995–2013](https://vinous.com/articles/rocca-di-montegrossi-chianti-classico-vigneto-san-marcellino-1995-2013-aug-2018), Antonio Galloni, August 2018

[Tuscany New Releases: Maremma, Montepulciano & More](https://vinous.com/articles/tuscany-new-releases-maremma-montepulciano-more-apr-2018), Antonio Galloni, April 2018

[Chianti Classico: The Stellar 2015s and Surprising 2014s](https://vinous.com/articles/chianti-classico-the-stellar-2015s-and-surprising-2014s-jan-2018), Antonio Galloni, January 2018

[Castello di Ama L’Apparita Retrospective 1988-2013](https://vinous.com/articles/castello-di-ama-l-apparita-retrospective-1988-2013-nov-2017), Antonio Galloni, November 2017



Chianti Classico 2015 & 2016: Right Place, Right Time

Chianti Classico 2015 & 2016: Right Place, Right Time (Feb 2019)

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