“Top 100” 2019 Wine Spectator: 21 Italians in the ranking, Chianti Classico in the top positions

In the top 100 wines ranked, there are 21 Italians (just like the record year 2001, when Ornellaia 1998 was number one, ed.). Chianti Classico took the lion’s share with 4 wines (3 of them are in the first 5 spots for Italy, in 3 different vintages, which confirms its consistent quality); of course, Barolo (3 wines), and the variety of Italian territories represented a triumph of diversity from Alto Adige to Etna, Le Marche to Calabria, Valtellina to Vulture. This is the Italian story of Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” 2019, considered the most influential of the international wine rankings (based on quality, price, availability on the market and “excitement”). The famous American magazine recently revealed the top 10 positions, and today has published the complete list. Number one position goes to St.-Julien 2016 of Château Léoville Barton, while Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2015 by Mayacamas took the second position, and Italy is in position number 3 with San Giusto a Rentennano Chianti Classico 2016, the first standard bearer of a territory, that is, the Black Rooster, the shiniest star. The second Italian wine, instead, went to Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin 2015 at number 11, while Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2017 is number 17, and Bibbiano Estate Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 is number 19. And, once more from the heart of Chianti Classico, even though it is a Super Tuscan, Tolaini Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana Legit 2013, at number 26, just ahead of Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2013 at number 27, then Petra Toscana Zingari 2017 at 29 (of the Terra Moretti Group) and again Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2015 at spot number 33. Following these there is a quartet of Piedmont wines, Nervi Conterno Gattinara 2015 is number 36, Ca’ del Baio Barbaresco Autinbej 2015 at spot 39, G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2015 at spot 48 and Marquis of Barolo Barbera del Monferrato Maraia 2017 at number 50. It’s Tuscany’s turn again with Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016 at spot number 54. The only Italian sparkling wine, Mirabella Brut Rosé Franciacorta NV, is at 68, ahead of Marotti Campi Verdicchio of the Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Luzano 2017, confirming the quality of the Marche region white, at 72, then Vincenzo Ippolito Cirò White Mare Chiaro 2018 at 77. Finally, going up and down from North to South closing out the Italian group, Casa Vinicola Triacca Valtellina Superiore Sassella 2016 is at spot 80, continuing to Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2017 at 83, followed by one of the iconic Sicilian wines, San Martino Aglianico del Vulture Arberesko 2015, at 85, Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Tradition 2018 at 87, and Benanti Etna 2017 at number 96.

Focus - the “Top 10” and the Italian wines ranked on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” 2019
1 - St.-Julien 2016 of Château Léoville Barton
2 - Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2015 of Mayacamas
3 - Chianti Classico 2016 of San Giusto a Rentennano
4 - Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Reserve 2016 of Groth
5 - Brut Anderson Valley L’Ermitage 2012 of Roederer Estate
6 - Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2016 of Château de Beaucastel
7 - Chardonnay Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2016 of Ramey
8 - Château Pichon Baron 2016 by Baron de Pichon Longueville
9 - Puente Alto 2016 of Viña Almaviva
10 - Bin 798 2017 of Penfols
11- Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin 2015
17 - Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2017
19 - Tenuta Bibbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
26 - Tolaini Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana Legit 2013
27 - Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2013
29 - Petra Toscana Zingari 2017
33 - Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2015
36 - Nervi Conterno Gattinara 2015
39 - Ca’ del Baio Barbaresco Autinbej 2015
48 - G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2015
50 - Marchesi di Barolo Barbera del Monferrato Maraia 2017
54 - Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016
68 - Mirabella Brut Rosé Franciacorta NV
72 - Marotti Campi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Luzano 2017
77 - Vincenzo Ippolito Cirò White Mare Chiaro 2018
80 - Casa Vinicola Triacca Valtellina Superiore Sassella 2016
83 - Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2017
85 - San Martino Aglianico del Vulture Arberesko 2015
87 - Cantina Terlano Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Tradition 2018
96 - Benanti Etna 2017