| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | Italy > Tuscany > Chianti |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A blend of 80% Sangiovese, 13% Merlot and 7% Malvasia Nera, this opens with aromas of black- and red-skinned berry, pipe tobacco, tilled earth and a whiff of new leather. Elegant and taut, the palate shows tension, verve and finesse, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and hints of French oak. It's balanced, with polished, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2021–2036. 13.5%
The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Lorenzo is immediately more inky and balsamic in terms of aromas. As soon as you lift the wine to your nose, you get pretty tones of blackberry, cassis, rosemary essence, licorice and a touch of medicinal herb. I love when Sangiovese produces those elegant aromas, and for that reason, this wine stands tall among the three single-vineyard expressions from Marco Pallanti and Castello di Ama. It shows fiber, richness and lasting structure with a very well-managed quality of tannins. 2020-2038
From the 25.5ha San Lorenzo vineyard, which, at 466m-525m, was one of the first to be acquired by the company in 1972, after it was founded by a group of friends. Sangiovese, Merlot and Malvasia Nera are vinified separately and combined after malolactic fermentation. The wine is then transferred to barriques, 18% of which are new, for 10 months. Aldo Fiordelli: Restrained cherry fruit allied to a chalky minerality, powerful yet elegant on the palate, layered with violet and Earl Grey flavours, followed by velvety and grainy youthful tannins. Andrew Jefford: Supple, chocolatey fruits and the scents of sun-warmed wood: gentle, sensual and inviting. Close-textured, deep and gently tannic, with classically austere yet inviting fruits, deftly handled. Monty Waldin: Crunchy tannin and slightly powdery red fruit. Well built on the mid-palate with fruit and oak in equal balance. Drinking Window 2020 - 2025
Blind tasted by Aldo Fiordelli, Andrew Jefford, Monty Waldin at Decanter Magazine's May 2020 issue Chianti Classico Riserva/Gran Selezione 2016 & 2015 Panel Tasting, 16 Jan 2020.
Part of Decanter's top Panel Tasting wines 2020
This is very polished and refined with chocolate, walnut and berry aromas and flavors. Medium to full body. Licorice and berry undertones. Balanced, as always. Drink or hold.
