2018 Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany

The deep color and rich, dark fruit tones of this wine are typical of the open, sun-drenched exposures found in Monti, the southernmost area of the Gaiole UGA. San Marcellino is Marco Ricasoli’s oldest vineyard, some of the vines planted in 1966. The wine’s dark cherry and black-raspberry flavors are concentrated and pure, deepened by a small percentage of pugnitello and girded by firm mineral tannins and cool notes of graphite.

95 points wineandspirits.com

A rich, succulent red, this boasts cherry, raspberry, rose, graphite and earth aromas and flavors. Pure, with vivid acidity and refined tannins lending support. Balanced and long, with a mineral edge on the aftertaste. Sangiovese and Pugnitello. Drink now through 2040.

96 points winespectator.com

Bright ruby in color, the San Marcellino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has ample, complex and enveloping aromas where fruity notes of raspberry and floral notes of violet stand out as well as evident spicy and mineral notes. It has an excellent structure, with strong but elegant tannins accompanied by a light harmonic flavor. It is a wine of great balance and with a long persistence.

This wine is produced only in top great vintages, using the finest grapes selected from the San Marcellino vineyard that surrounds the Church of San Marcellino in Monti in Chianti: Since 2006 the San Marcellino cuvee has included about 5% Pugnitello. The wine ages for about 24 months in medium toast barriques from Allier. It is bottled unfiltered to preserve its elegance and freshness, and aged in bottle for at least 24 months prior to release. San Marcellino displays beautiful structure, with vibrant, elegant tannins accompanied by harmonious savory accents. It’s an extremely well balanced, persistent wine.