2016 San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany

Smoke, meat and wet earth to the black fruit. Black truffle, too. Full-bodied, chewy and fruity. Lots of smoky wood. Tight and in need of time to open up, yet it already delivers beautifully polished, caressing tannins. Decant before serving. An amazing wine. Drink now.

96 points James Suckling

Classic varietal aromas recalling underbrush, blue flower, wild berry and crushed aromatic herb form the nose. Savory and smooth, the elegantly structured palate features juicy black cherry, cassis, dark culinary spice and tobacco alongside taut refined tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2022–2036. 

95 points Kerin O’Keefe for Wine Enthusiast

San Felice is one of Tuscany's historic estates, its roots stretching back to the Middle Ages in the heart of Chianti Classico. Today the estate is recognised as one of the region's benchmark producers, combining centuries of tradition with meticulous vineyard management and an unwavering commitment to Sangiovese. Il Grigio Gran Selezione represents the pinnacle of the estate's Chianti Classico range, crafted only from the finest estate vineyards and produced in limited quantities. The magnificent 2016 vintage is widely regarded as one of Tuscany's modern classics, delivering wines of extraordinary balance, structure and longevity.

Sourced from carefully selected hillside vineyards surrounding Castelnuovo Berardenga, the vines thrive in galestro and limestone rich soils that bring depth, elegance and unmistakable mineral character. The long, near perfect 2016 growing season allowed Sangiovese to ripen slowly, producing fruit of exceptional concentration while retaining vibrant acidity and aromatic purity. Extended maturation in French oak followed by careful bottle ageing has created a Gran Selezione that beautifully marries power with finesse, now entering a superb stage of its evolution.

Deep garnet with a vibrant ruby edge, the bouquet is wonderfully complex, revealing black cherry, redcurrant and wild plum layered with violet, dried rosemary and fragrant cedar. As the wine opens, notes of tobacco leaf, leather, graphite and earthy spice emerge alongside hints of balsamic herbs and dark cocoa, reflecting both the pedigree of the vintage and the maturity of the wine. The palate is beautifully proportioned, combining concentrated red and dark fruits with finely resolved tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Savoury nuances of liquorice, crushed stone and dried herbs build through a long, graceful finish that lingers with remarkable harmony, freshness and depth.

A magnificent companion to bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow braised lamb shoulder, wild boar ragù, porcini mushroom pappardelle or mature Pecorino Toscano. Now entering a wonderful drinking window, this outstanding Gran Selezione will continue to reward careful cellaring for another ten to fifteen years, gradually revealing even greater complexity and refinement.