Two amazing Chiantis, one fabulous vintage

The 2015 was a fabulous vintage across Europe and the greater Chianti region benefited enormously with ripe wines made at all price points. I particularly like the fact that most of the 2015s that I have tasted show uncommon precocity at the same time as clearly having enough power in their engines to run and run. This balance/longevity ratio makes the elite wines very attractive indeed.

Isole is one of the most famous wineries in Italy. Winemaker Paolo di Marchi makes wines with thrilling fruit and slender, juicy, willowy tannins. It comes from high-altitude vineyards in the western part of Chianti Classico, open to breezes coming in from the sea. Pretty and seductive, this is the perfect counterpoint to the muscular 2015 Chianti Classico, Fèlsina Berardenga, Tuscany,Italy (£22.95, Philglas-Swiggot.com).

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Located on the southern border of the Chianti region, northeast of Siena, Fèlsina’s wines are often built like the sangioveses from Montalcino as opposed to the more graceful styles, such as Isole, from further north in the Chianti region. Classic and structured, but lush and succulent, this is one of the finest vintages I can remember in my very long history with this property. Two amazing Chiantis from one amazing vintage – you must track them both down and then you will understand the vintage in several twists of a corkscrew.

2015 Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena, Tuscany, Italy About £25.99, ValvonaCrolla.co.uk, HayWines.co.uk, TheWineReserve.co.uk

Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (MatthewJukes.com).

This article was originally published in MoneyWeek