Winemaker Notes
From Villa Le Corti estate, in San Casciano Val di Pesa, a wine with luminous tones that expresses the quite fond-able natural harmony of the Chianti Classico. The traditional grapes Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo are now Bio, thanks to the latest project of conversion to an organic viticulture. Brilliant ruby red, with a dynamic profile of floral and fruity fragrances: fine aromas of lavender verbena and iris, and fresh notes of crisp cherries, pomegranate and citrus fruits. The palate shines in a lively vivacity, the fruit is supported by peppery and agile tannins. The wine shows a nice smoothness with a persistence of delicate herbs and spices.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The nose is immediately decadent and subtle at the same time with notes of leather, brambleberries, cedar, forest floor and tobacco. A very intense Chianti Classico that shows chewy, structured tannins, a nice supporting backbone of acidity and a long, spicy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Chianti Classico Le Corti (95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino) is a terrific, lightly textured red wine that will pair beautifully with your favorite home-cooked pasta recipes. This is a polished and streamlined wine with a bright bouquet composed of wild berries, violets and wet earth. There is tangy acidity on the close to cut through cream or cheese toppings. The Corsini family hits all the high notes with this near-term, easy-drinking red. You get great value here (with 80,000 bottles made), and that's why I put the little plus sign by my score.
Rating: 90+ -
Wine Spectator
Aromas of iris, underbrush and a whiff of mint are front and center. The juicy palate doles out black cherry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside lively acidity and dusty tannins. Drink through 2023.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
One of the first wine regions anywhere to be officially recognized and delimited, Chianti Classico is today what was originally defined simply as Chianti. Already identified by the early 18th century as a superior zone, the official name of Chianti was proclaimed upon the area surrounding the townships of Castellina, Radda and Gaiole, just north of Siena, by Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany in an official decree in 1716.
However, by the 1930s the Italian government had appended this historic zone with additonal land in order to capitalize on the Chianti name. It wasn’t until 1996 that Chianti Classico became autonomous once again when the government granted a separate DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) to its borders. Ever since, Chianti Classico considers itself no longer a subzone of Chianti.
Many Classicos are today made of 100% Sangiovese but can include up to 20% of other approved varieties grown within the Classico borders. The best Classicos will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and be full-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit (plums, black cherry, blackberry). Also common among the best Classicos are expressive notes of cedar, dried herbs, fennel, balsamic or tobacco.