These wines are drinking very well now. In the 25+ years I've been drinking Chianti, the quality of the wines overall have improved markedly. I can recall a time when the requirements for Chianti were so strict that the Supertuscan movement took off to allow winemakers more latitude to produce high quality wines. Well the strict requirements in Chianti were relaxed and now these wines can reach into the outstanding category in many cases.
According to Wine Spectator, the 2015 and 2016 vintages were the best since 1997. 2015 and 2016 were each scored 97 points. I've tried almost a dozen wines from these 2 vintages over the last couple years and agree that these are both excellent vintages, I have a slight preference for 2016.
I've stocked up on a couple mixed cases of wines from these vintages while they were on the shelves. Here is what I bought:
2016 Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini Chianti Classico Riserva Castello di Poppiano Belvedere Campoli
2016 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico
2016 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Podere Castellinuzza Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Conte Ferdinando Guicciardini Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Tabernacolo Belvedere Campoli
2015 Villa Mangiacane Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Castello di Monterinaldi Chianti Classico Vigneto Boscone
2015 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rùfina Nipozzano Riserva
2015 Cafaggio Chianti Classico Basilica Cafaggio
2015 Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva Berardo
2015 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Casaloste Chianti Classico
2015 Cantine Bonacchi Chianti Classico Riserva
2015 Luiano Chianti Classico Riserva
All of these wines were very good values in my opinion. I did not pay more than $28 for any of them. Most of the Riservas will likely drink well for 10+ years.
Did anyone else go deep into these vintages? If so, what did you buy?
VM
