"A good solid Chianti, a wine which can be thin and start but clearly here is a notch or two above the mass producers. Bitter cherry fruit and good length, certainly more of a food wine than a drink alone, the only thing that may make me pause re-buying is it is maybe very slightly over priced."

"Very full bodied, rich, tart and plummy with a lingering sweetness. I thought it was heavy and rather hard work. "

"Very full bodied, rich, tart and plummy with a lingering sweetness. I thought it was heavy and rather hard work. "

"Very full bodied, rich, tart and plummy with a lingering sweetness. I thought it was heavy and rather hard work. "

"Soft, Fruity, and very drinkable. Perfect with Pizza."

I would recommend this wine

"Great value and quite refined for Chianti. I have it often with dinner and it is superb with food. Cannot be beat at the price."

I would recommend this wine

"A very good 4 star from me. For the money, this is a very nice Chianti and all too often they can be a let down. This has elegance, length, complexity, good cherry fruit balanced with assertive tannin and oak. I don't think it is too drying to be honest as the fruit at the beginning is powerful so overall, it has excellent balance. I will happily buy this again. "

I would recommend this wine

"Ok, ... very dry, berry flavours"

joannasimon.com 4th Dec 2020

"Medium-full, nicely ripe, rounded Chianti with fragrant cherry, almond, cedar and tobacco aromas and the combination of velvety tannins with a gentle cherry rasp on a dry finish that makes Chianti so appetisingly food-friendly. Made for the Society by the Bartoli family on their Poggiopiano estate. - Joanna Simon"

2016 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Loved this. Fruity smooth. Will buy more when it comes back into stock."

Mr Antony Baldwin (08-Jul-2020)

"A tale of two halves. The nose is dark and brooding, rather like a Scandi TV drama; then the taste is the usual sour cherry, medium-bodied Chianti-ness. So it's decent value, a decent example. You can't complain, but you're not bouncing up and down either."

Rev Robert Stanier (15-Jun-2020)

"I'm really confused by some of the reviews listed for this wine, some of which seem to be referring to the 2015 vintage? We really liked this wine. Full of ripe raspberry and cherry flavours, very smooth with well rounded tannins. Definitely a "3D" wine with complexity and length. Beutifully accompanied roast lamb and easy to drink on its own! Easily the best wine we've had over the last couple of weeks and will be including a few more bottles in our next order."

Dr Paul Stockbridge (01-Jun-2020)

"Tasted 2015 vintage for the first time last night bought three years ago. Decanted and after 30, mins Wow...beautiful red fruit aroma and the taste bore that out - long persistent mouthfeel, rounded., smooth . Not heavy or overbearing, medium body but had the guts to match Lasaagne perfectly."

Mr W R Pierce (26-Feb-2020)

"Rather limp as a wine. Little fruit and rather watery; certainly it doesn't, to my mind at least, reflect a typical Chianti Classico. Perhaps it was the cork which left the bottle with a sad whimper rather than a pop. Best avoided. "

Mr Rory Bremner (07-Sep-2019)

"Not sure I get the “good example of...” comment, both reviewers below and the buyer must have thought so, but it really isn’t. Tried it immediately after pulling the cork (dull, light, lacking the Chianti nose) and then the next day (dull, light). This should be an ‘exhibition’ wine, but is sadly more actuaries conference. "

Mr Stephen Wilkinson (10-Aug-2019)

"I enjoyed this wine, but its a long time since I tasted a Chianti and I'm not sure how typical of the region this wine is. It is, as suggested, a very fruity and scented wine, but to my mind rather blowsy and out of control. Nevertheless, a very enjoyable summer quaff."

Mr David Angel (28-Jul-2019)

"A good example of Chianti, and the sangiovese grape. Delicious, and I will buy it again, as it offers good value I feel. This time I shall hold some back to see how it develops."

Mr Paul G Luff (16-Jul-2019)

"Good example of Chianti Classico..good fruit and tannins...we liked this and will re-order."

Mr David Henderson (16-Jun-2019)

2015 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Very unimpressed, especially for an Exhibition wine. Tried the wine the first evening with food after some time to air. Hmmm. Gave it the benefit of the doubt, left the bulk till day 2, decanted for a couple of hours and still no better. I wouldn't say the wine was corked, just very unpleasant, an experience that I can see has been shared with several other purchasers."

Mr Peter Hammersley (01-Mar-2020)

"The 2015 had a number of poor reviews, so I decided to call down the case I bought for £125 (discounted to £10.40 a bottle to make room for the 2016?). At least one reviewer gave it one *, and another mentioned Fontodi and Felsina amongst other producers. That was an unfair comparison, as they are close to the pinnacle of Chianti and probably 50-75% more expensive. I've been buying those on and off since the 2004 vintage, so feel I have a fair idea of the comparison. On opening, the 2015 was fairly full, soft and fruity. It did develop a slightly firm/metallic edge with a few minutes air, but I am very happy with my purchase and am confident it will go well with pasta and pizza etc., which is all I would ask of it at this price."

Mr P W G Beuttell (08-Jul-2019)

"Having spent a week in the Chianti region this summer for a wedding i was desperate to try to Exhibition label. First time of trying this and i was not disappointed. I opened the bottle 2 hours before but did not decant. I thought it was smooth and had a good level of tannin, low acidity, albeit quite earthy but generally find this is usual with this type of wine. Probably better with food but all in all very pleased and good value for money."

Mr Adrian Vickery (18-Dec-2018)

"After decanting it for an hour I found plenty of healthy, slightly tangy, red berry, Sangiovese fruit to enjoy. It is not a rich or heavy Chianti which presumably means that it has not been blended with French or other non-Tuscan grape varieties, and I would query the Society's classification of it as full bodied, but equally it is not a thin wine. Enjoyable on its own terms it will probably partner pasta with a tomato or tomato based sauce rather better than heavier foods. If it was possible to give half stars I would give it three and a half "

Mr N C Nardecchia (05-Nov-2018)

"I am not a particularly experienced or knowledgeable but thoroughly enjoyed and bought again"

Mr John Corney (03-Nov-2018)

"Easy drinking, smooth chianti. Whilst I agree with other reviewers that it does not particularly stand out from the crowd, it is inoffensive. Probably doesn’t feel quite like the quality of some of the other exhibition wines we have had."

Mrs Sarah-Lynn Spruzen (19-Oct-2018)

"Yes, the general tenor of reviews is right. This is definitely Chianti, but equally it is definitely unremarkable. Not up to the standard of most ‘Exhibition’ wines. Sorry."

Rev Robert Stanier (19-Oct-2018)

"Three stars is a bit generous. 2 1/2 would be more accurate. Thin and sour, surprisingly poor for the Exhibition range. I suspect it would taste better with rich and hearty food eg pasta."

Sir Kieran Prendergast (19-Oct-2018)

"My experience of this was much happier than that of the other reviewers so far. Decanted for a little over an hour this was enjoyed by my guests. It was neither thin nor lacking in fruit. Extremely smooth. Sweetness ahead of acidity but not cloyingly so. Some sediment. I'll happily order again."

Mr Tom Lavercombe (15-Oct-2018)

"I have to say despite there being nothing offensive about this Chianti there was little to recommend above other Chiantis with a lesser pedigree, it had all the usual signs that it should have, the bitter cherry underlined with fruit and acidity for a food wine but all was very average nothing to write home about or eulogise on here, disappointing. "

Mr John Wigglesworth (13-Oct-2018)

"I also bought 6 bottles of this in May this year (2018) at a slightly reduced price (£10.50) as a special offer because the Wine Society wanted to make room for more coming. They have been hugely disappointing - I have only recently opened the the fourth and nothing had improved - dull and thin. Its in the kitchen half full ready to use for cooking. I can't bring myself to open the last two. I had thought that maybe I just don't 'get' Chianti but not after reading these reviews! iMaybe the Wine Society would like to swop my remaining two bottles for something that might restore my faith! "

Dr Patricia McKenna (04-Oct-2018)

"I am in agreement with other critical reviews. I ordered three bottles as part of a mixed case in May. The first was opened soon after arrival and was much below expectation for any wine in the Exhibition range; there were unresolved tannins, no detectable fruit and a thinness which made it unsuitable for drinking without food. Is this really the same wine that was tasted by the Wine Society buyer? The second bottle was opened this week (August 2018) with similar results."

Dr Roger Booker (13-Aug-2018)

"A dry, earthy yet somewhat thin wine. This is certainly no 'fruit bomb' and therefore not what you would call a crowd pleaser. This is a rather austere wine to drink on its own but I found that it did come in to its own rather well indeed when drunk with a Mediterranean style lunch consisting of strong flavours (Chiantis are, after all, renowned as excellent food wines). On the nose: herbs, olives, earth and black coffee. On the palate: predominantly savoury with tannins and slight cherry fruits but on the whole rather underdeveloped. You will need to let this breathe a long while before drinking. Have it the next day with food and it's fine. For me, not up to 'Exhibition standard' now but may well drink better in a few years time."

Mr John-Paul Featherstone (10-Aug-2018)

"I really hope this just needs time, or decanding for a while, as this was quite a disappointment compared to the 2014(which was excellent)"

Mr Mark Schoen (05-Aug-2018)

"Can't believe this made it into the exhibition range. I was going to lay it down for a couple of years hoping that it would improve, I hope it does!"

Mr John Arnould (01-Aug-2018)

2014 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"A nice full red. Bramble nose. Deep smoky dark fruit palate"

Mr Nicolas Pittman (10-Mar-2018)

Mr Patrick Loughman (04-Jan-2018)

"Easy drinking, decent quality Chianti at the right price point. We enjoy this wine regularly with pasta dishes. Served it at a party recently as one of the reds and it was a big hit with people who like an easy drinking, fruity, soft red with a decent body. Not sure I would describe it as full bodied like the WS notes."

Mrs Sarah-Lynn Spruzen (22-Dec-2017)

"A sumptuous red that goes down all too easily. My wife has very discriminating tastes and she is a fan of lighter reds, generally hating anything labelled a blockbuster. However, this is a wine we both enjoy. One for the evening rather than lunchtime. Pair with a leather sofa and an open fire. Seems very good value for the opulence."

Mr I Mitchell (28-Oct-2017)

"Very nice Chianti. Lovely fruity flavour, went well with our lasagne. Very drinkable on it's own"

Mr Richard Simon (03-May-2017)

2014 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Observer (1st Apr 2018)

"For value, it's hard to beat … [this] fragrant [wine] by the fastidious Poggiopiano. - David Williams"

2013 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Amazing example at this price! Good body, nice nose. Typical sour cherries profile with hints of mocha and dark chocolate shavings. Worth every penny :)"

Mr Rafael Goncalves (02-Apr-2017)

"Fantastic Chianti! IMHO a gorgeous wine with an earthy cherry body and a long peppery finish."

Mr John Heighway (01-Apr-2017)

"Cherries and chocolate, the longer I left it the better it got. Won't buy again only because my wife was not too impressed."

Mr Gordon Allan (28-Dec-2016)

"Super value for money. A memorable Chianti which I would buy again."

Mrs Suzanne Anderton (07-Jun-2016)

"(2012 vintage) Rich bitter cherries, a touch of coal smoke with some tannin on the rather short finish and not a trace of oak to soften. Not your average Chianti, quite challenging in fact. And all the better for it."

Mr Tim Potts (01-Jun-2016)

"Has transformed my view of Chianti. Dark chocolate coated cherries, like Swiss kirsch sticks. Woody and earthy on the nose."

Mr Bruce Marson (29-Apr-2016)

"I loved this wine! Great with pasta and a simple tomato sauce. Very good value and a wine I look forward to having again."

Mr Darren Cooper (25-Apr-2016)

"This is okay. It's sangiovese so slightly bitter black cherry. Just didn't warm to it as much as other chiantis I've had in this price range. A fair example of the region and the grape but not excellent."

Rev Robert Stanier (30-Jan-2016)

2013 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

The Field (18th Nov 2016)

"Versatile and approachable - and worth twice the price. - Jonathan Ray"

2012 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Extremely good lively bottle - full, complex, smooth - left it for an evening and was *so* much better the second time around ... reordering!"

Mr Allen O'Neill (18-Jan-2016)

"A classy wine with lovely fruit and complexity and lively acidity, but I'd agree with a previous reviewer that, for me, the high alcohol (and the resulting "fuzzy head") detracted from my enjoyment."

Mr Andrew Watson (26-Dec-2015)

"Initially rather unimpressed only to discover, as so often, that by the last glass it had opened up into something much better. Will buy again and decant next time."

Mr Jonathan Rippon (23-Oct-2015)

"Rich creamy savoury strawberry with earthy nuances - delicious. The next day after opening it wasn't so good. Will reorder."

Mr Anthony O'Halloran (08-Jul-2015)

"Had the 2010 vintage of this wine last night. It's very good, it's ready, it's smooth and rounded, has heaps of ripe black fruit flavours, and is solidly medium-bodied, but it falls down a bit in that it has too much alcohol (14%), and this is a mild irritation. That's the only chink in the armour, it is in all other respects a perfectly good bottle of Chianti from a good producer and an excellent vintage - if you have the 2010, be careful to consult your internet vintage reports for other vintages. It is very good value-for-money, when you consider the sky-high prices for good Chianti."

Mr Callum Hantler (07-Apr-2015)

2012 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

Decanter (30th Sep 2015)

"A lovely sangiovese from San Casciano. - Stephen Spurrier"

matchingfoodandwine.com (15th Jun 2015)

"One of the things [The Society does] particularly well is their own-label Exhibition range which is a selection of top-end wines chosen by and often blended with the help of their buyers. This Chianti Classico which is made by Poggiopiano is a perfect example ... It’s beautifully balanced - full, rich and smooth but with a nice touch of freshness that offsets its 14% abv. You could drink it - as many would - with typically Tuscan dishes such as roast lamb with garlic and rosemary but it would also elevate a homely lasagne into a midweek treat. I honestly don’t think you’ll find a chianti of this quality - in the UK at least - at a better price (£11.95 a bottle). Poggipiano’s own Chianti Classico, for example, also stocked by the Society, is £16 and their top end wine £24. - Fiona Beckett"

2011 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"This deserves a posh food partner as it is so delicious, nuanced, and quite delicately spiced. I must admit to opening a bottle to serve with my Bolognese sauce and pasta and it was delicious especially with the cheese that followed. "

Dr Laurence Measey (31-Oct-2014)

"Lovely bouquet, everything you'd want in a Chianti. Hot on the palate though. You really feel the 14%. "

Mr Daniel Chaquico (29-Aug-2014)

2010 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Four bottles now drunk from the case of 12. First two were excellent - see reviews below. Second two quite different. some fruit on the nose but no signs of ageing yet which we would have expected from 2010. The key problem was the very short finish and tart and zingy acidity. Eight to go but may be best to cellar for a further year?"

Mr David Bricknell (21-Sep-2014)

"This is a truly superb example of Chianti. But take my tip and forget our normal concept of Italian food when you open it. Prepare a simple piece of meat just as most Italians do for their main course without any tomato or grated Parmesan in sight, and your bottle of Chianti will be wonderful. I tried only three bottles but will instantly order some more. (I did try one bottle with a pasta and a good home made ragù sauce but what a mistake - the wine was killed stone dead!)"

Mr Derek Carver (04-Jun-2014)

"Oh dear, this one really wasn't what I would expect from a Society Exhibition wine. Thin with very little body, disappointing colour (distinct brown tinge) and very heavy sediment. Seeing the mixed reviews I'm wondering if there is a quality control problem here?"

Dr Paul Stockbridge (22-Apr-2014)

"Really didn't enjoy this. Found it too tannic and generally disappointing."

Miss Louise Byrne (06-Apr-2014)

"Food friendly as one would expect from Chianti. Medium-full body with some red (cherries) fruits in the middle. Good acidity and tamed tannins makes this a very friendly wine. Worked well with Ragu followed by gorgonzola. Lovely."

Mr David Bricknell (05-Apr-2014)

"Oh dear, thin, acidic, some red fruit that quickly fades on the palate, and almost no body. Better than the basic red burgundy, but that's not saying a lot."

Mr David McDowell (28-Feb-2014)

"A thoroughly enjoyable Chianti. Full bodied, fruity (cherries) with tamed tannins and a long finish; a very good Chianti at this price point."

Mr David Bricknell (26-Feb-2014)

2010 VINTAGE - PRESS REVIEWS

Decanter (8th Jan 2014)

"This is a charming Chianti, with red cherry fruit aromas decorated with a subtle hint of violets. It's pure and fresh in the mouth with crunchy red fruit and Chianti's classic, grippy tannins.- Weekday Wines"

JancisRobinson.com (27th Nov 2013)

" 16/20 Bright dark ruby. Lots of fruit and then dry on the end. Really appetising and zesty. Enough fruit to fill in on the middle. Excellent. Lovely finish. Immediate pleasure. Bullseye!- Jancis Robinson "

winegang.com (4th Nov 2013)

"Poggiopiano is the name behind this typically excellent Wine Society own-label, here producing a seamless, silky, stylish Sangiovese with deliciously ripe red and black cherry, a fine line of acidity and touches of leathery savouriness. 89/100"

2009 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"Nice, black cherry nose and deep, fruity flavour. Only thing that spoils it for me is a little too much acid afterwards."

Mr Colin Savage (18-Feb-2013)

"Beautifully fleshy, rich & ripe. For me just missing the structure (as in, tannin/acid balance) for food but at 14% not just for drinking either. Come on WS, can you get this down to 13%? Ps Soooo much better than the 'house' from BBR!"

Mr Andy Bell (18-Oct-2012)

"Very bright, fruity, high acid but with nice spicy, mineral finish which really lends a touch of depth and class."

Mr William Davies (21-Apr-2012)

2007 VINTAGE - MEMBER REVIEWS

"I would only affirm what has been written below, and perhaps add that drinking this wine with red meat would help to soften the still quite young tannins."

Mr Robert Wade (07-Sep-2010)

"Deep and delicious - must be opened hours in advance"

Mr Douglas Maskell (06-Jul-2010)

"Agree this really benefits from opening and decanting in advance, but this a very impressive Chianti Classico - there is a terrific depth of flavour here, really well balanced and lovely black cherry notes."

Dr Jacqueline Patience (15-Jun-2010)

"Impressive benchmark Chianti. Vigorous deep ruby in colour, fresh and vibrant. Ripe cherry and black fruits compete for attention with a judicious touch of oak. Very satisfying."

Mr Philip Kirk (31-Mar-2010)

"Very typical Chianti and very enjoyable. Still slightly tannic and could be kept for a year or so. Benefits greatly from being opened well ahead of drinking."

Mr Michael Meadowcroft (19-Nov-2009)

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