In the glass of WineNews the new vintages of Chianti and Morellino di Scansano

The long week of Previews of Tuscany is getting going, with two of the main names in the region. In Chianti Lovers 2019, the Chianti, with vineyards that almost cover an area of 15,000 hectares, from which an average of 750,000 hectolitres of wine is obtained, brings the last vintage, 2018, into the glass, together with 2017 and Riserva 2016, just like Morellino di Scansano, the denomination of Southern Tuscany that involves 10,000,000 bottles produced annually, in some cases of significant appeal. A synergy that goes beyond the joint preview, and that focuses on the great theme of the Tuscan brand, which makes the many diversities its strength, and fragmentation, on the contrary, its weakness.
The 2018 harvest was certainly not the best one, but was not too bad, either. In Chianti, there was too much rain, especially in some sub-areas, but there was also the possibility of obtaining fragrant wines, perfect in terms of type. The overall perceptions are good from the Anteprima 2019 del Chianti with the 2017 vintage which, although critical from a quantitative and climatic perspective, was able to produce wines of quality, perhaps not able to defy time (but it is certainly not the objective of the bulk of production in Chianti). The Chianti Riserva 2016, however, impressed significantly, and interpreted very well a beautiful vintage, in some ways, very suitable for Sangiovese.
Cantine Leonardo’s Chianti 2018 is fresh and at a good level, with the same characteristics as that of Ruffino. The Chianti Colli Fiorentini La Torretta Riserva 2016 de La Querce still needs to flourish completely, but has an excellent structure. From the important step the sip of Chianti Colli Fiorentini Riserva 2016 of Malenchini that also highlights well-recorded scents of red fruits and flowers. The Chianti 2018 of Tenuta San Vito is crisp and relaxed, with its linear and clean scents.
A nuanced profile in the nose of Chianti Colli Fiorentini Badia a Corte Riserva 2016 di Torre a Cona, with a full and juicy taste. The Chianti Rufina Vigneto Bucerchiale Riserva 2016 of the Fattoria Selvapiana remains a reference for style, character, and solidity, as does another classic of the area, the Chianti Rufina Nipozzano Riserva 2016 of Frescobaldi. The Chianti Vinciano Riserva di Sensi has also had a good aromatic and gustative texture of the vintage 2016.
The Chianti Superiore Santa Cristina 2017 from Tenuta Santa Cristina (Antinori) is immediately fruity and docile to the palate. The Chianti 2017 de Le Fonti is well centered, with its aromatic, ferrous and fruity traits and its full and contrasting taste. Fragrant fruit and dynamic taste development for the Chianti Rufina 2017 di Frascole. Drink fresh and continuous for the Chianti Re Chianti 2018 by Melini (Italian Wine Group), while the Chianti Colli Senesi 2018 by Tenuta Casabianca is pleasantly fruity and savory. The Chianti Biskero 2018 of Salcheto is tasty and with some pleasant hardness, while the Chianti Collezione Oro Riserva 2016 of Tenute Piccini is compact and captivating.
Moving on to Morellino, the 2018 vintage, which was generally fresh, brought a fragrance that was not always so frequent in the wines of the Maremma denomination, which, although maintaining an overall immediacy, did not lack a few higher notes. The Morellino di Scansano Marteto 2018 from Cantina Bruni is impressive, with fragrant red fruits and spices on the nose and a strong and rhythmic development on the palate with a nice spicy aftertaste. Sweet and pleasant beginning for the Morellino Massi di Mandorlaia 2018 Conte Guicciardini with clean and slightly balsamic aromas and a fresh and refined taste. Immediate to the nose with red fruits in the foreground is the 2018 Morellino from Fattoria Le Pupille. The sip of Morellino 2018 from Fattoria San Felo is incisive and tasty. The palate of Morellino More 2018 di Monterò is crisp and well articulated. The taste of Morellino Passera 2018 di Poggio Trevalle is juicy and pleasantly warm, with fragrances that are developing. Dark fruit and spicy hints in the nose of Morellino di Scansano 2018 di Val Delle Rose (Cecchi) with a fresh and lively mouth.
The mouth of Morellino di Scansano Roggiano Riserva 2016 of Vignaioli del Morellino di Scansano is well articulated, with a floral nose and smoky and spicy hints. Very convincing is the Morellino di Scansano Rovente Riserva 2016 di Col di Bacche, with its delicately balsamic aromas with hints of black pepper and fragrant, clean fruit, anticipating a full, beautifully contrasting development of taste. A hint of excess oak in the nose of Morellino di Scansano Purosangue Riserva 2016 di Terenzi with a dense and continuous mouth, with a wide and aftertaste.