CANTALICI
TUSCANY, ITALY 2020
WHY BUY: Brothers Daniele and Carlo Cantalici not only respect terroir; they also respect your wallet. This quintet of minimal-intervention, organic wines drawn from fruit across five villages of Chianti Classico — capped by a terrific 2013 Vin Santo with 12 years of bottle age for only $45 — pulls off their intended two-fer with aplomb, delivering terroir-specificity and character, but at double-take pricing (the two entry level wines are just $18 and $15). These are wonderful food-friendly wines to have near at hand at all times, so spring for a case or two and keep yourself stocked for all occasions.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: James Suckling hailed the Gran Selezione 2020 as "deliciously savory and tangy," with "notes of sour cherries, cumin and olives" that create a "full-bodied, sleek and very drinkable" wine that's "long, fresh and lively.”
OUR TASTING NOTES: The Tangano IGT announces itself with a burst of warm spices before giving way to lively notes of bright cherry and citrus. What impresses most here is the foundation; there’s real backbone here, along with nicely developed tannins that promise good things ahead. The Gran Selezione delivers everything you want in a Chianti Classico: power without heaviness, fruit of purity and clarity, and, best of all, an ineffable sense of place. The two entry-level wines far outperform their price tags. The Chianti Classico Baruffo is all Italian countryside, with cherry brightness lifted by earth and wild, fragrant herbs. As for the Riserva, it shows what additional aging accomplishes, namely, more depth, more integration, and more of that satisfying complexity that develops when a wine isn’t rushed to market. The revelation here is the Vin Santo. This isn't your typical cloying dessert wine. There's an almost savory richness here, like salted caramel meeting dried stone fruits, with layers that keep shifting as the wine opens in your glass. It's the kind of bottle that makes you understand why so many Italians consider Vin Santo sacred. A real achievement.
THE STORY: The Brothers Cantalici spent years working alongside their father Loris in forestry and vineyard development before deciding, one day, in 1998, to make their own wines rather than just help others to make theirs. Their winery in the charming, historic town of Gaiole sits atop a hill overlooking the valley, centered around the ancient Ridolfo Furnace that dates to the 16th century. Walking through their cellars means stepping into 500 years of Tuscan history, where the same stone walls that witnessed Renaissance winemaking now house their modern organic operation. At the heart of everything here is their commitment to organic farming with limited intervention, using natural fertilizers and insisting on hand-harvesting while some neighbors instead look to make wine more efficiently or to do it at scale. Their vineyards stretch across the most prestigious villages of Chianti Classico (Gaiole, Monti, Radda, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and Vagliagli), giving them access to a range of soils and enabling them to create wines of complexity and nuance.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH: These Chianti Classicos were born for the kind of simple, lusty dishes that are the backbone of Italian country cuisine: rich, tomato-sauced pastas, grilled, herbed meats, and aged cheeses. The Vin Santo, meanwhile, is best appreciated with a hunk of aged pecorino, or a selection of dried fruits and nuts.
FUN FACT: The Ridolfo Furnace that anchors Cantalici's cellars was originally part of a 16th-century dowry for a wealthy Florentine wedding.
OUR GUARANTEE: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate to ensure that your wines arrive with pristine provenance. These are some of Tuscany's best values — secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2026. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, KS, MI, NE, NY, OK, TN, and WA. This offer will expire on Monday, January 5th, 2026.