Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: panel tasting results

Vigna Il Corno (‘the horn’) is made with grapes from a plot at 400m on a calcareous clay soil. Fermentation is in 50hl stainless steel tanks, malolactic in new 5hl oak tonneaux, then 24 months in the same casks and an additional 12 months of bottle ageing. Susan Hulme MW: Dark, brooding, flinty style on nose, cherries and woodland notes. Refined, slick and smooth, lively with good concentration. Federico Moccia: Red fruit and violet aromas, rose floral notes. Racy, juicy palate with herbal notes, tannins well integrated, cherry and redcurrant juice. Refreshing, with great purity. Michaela Morris: Classic spiced cherry with forest cedar. Still quite sweet-wood driven, but admirable fruit purity on the palate, the oak quite integrated. Concentrated with good tannin backbone, finishes bright.

Toasty and smoky character on the nose with nuances of coffee, white pepper, vanilla and floral notes. Nervy in a good way, with oak and fruit purity showing a nice definition and personality on the palate.

Quite restrained and intriguing, with very sweet cherries and strawberries notes, white pepper and dried flowers. Bright and tangy on the palate, pretty juicy, showing elegance and a firm yet velvety tannic structure.

Gentle and fresh nuances of wild flowers, sophisticated oak spices, green herbs and ripe dark fruit. Dense, silky and well-structured, supported by a bright acidity and fresh leafy flavours.

Oak driven nose with cedary aromas, ripe concentrated notes of cloves, coffee and dark fruits. It shows drive and energy, as well as a lovely texture and persistent finish. Taut and poised.

Earthy scents on the nose, with notes of smoke, toast, biscuit and creamy blueberry fruit. It is robust on the palate, with smooth ripe tannins still showing up, very fresh with a well-integrated alcohol.

Floral aromas and roasted oak. High tannins and high acidity on the palate. Vibrant with long finish. Balanced but needs time.

Expressive aromas of cherries, blueberries, chocolate, spices and smoked meat. The texture on the palate is creamy, with velvety tannins, showing energy and a lively violet edge towards the finish.

Pronounced nose showing Mediterranean herbs, wild strawberries, very dark plums, vanilla and hints of yellow peach. Rich and intense, with a crunchy acidity. Very refined, vibrant and focused.

Interesting nose of baked terracotta, wild herbs, smoke, coffee beans and leather. There is a lot of vigour and power, steely tannins with some sense of delicacy, not too extracted, flowing well.

Intense ripe compote aromas with herbal and clove nuances, over coffee undertones. Great velvety texture, firm yet refined, with a juicy acidity and brambly flavours.

Creamy nose of white chocolate, vanilla, nuts and cinnamon. There is a huge amount of tension on the palate, with a tangy finish and fresh ripe cherry flavours.

Sweet top notes of cream and oak spice with cherry and bramble overtones. Very firm and juicy at the same time, lively on the palate, with depth and structure.

Bright herbal and cedar notes framed by blackcurrant and ripe wild berries. Fresh, juicy and rounded. Harmonious, showing brightness and succulence on the finish.

Ripe aromas of juicy red cherry, forest, wild herbs and earthy nuances. Round and medium-bodied, rather gentle on the palate, showing elegance and layered flavours.

Attractive mellow scents of dried flowers, black tea and creamy vanilla with hints of cedar. Elegant and fluid, medium-bodied, with seductive smooth tannins.

Pronounced notes of black fruit, smoky cherries, nuts and cinnamon. Smooth on the palate with a wealth of concentration. Vigorous and assertive style.

Lifted notes of plums, dark cherry, chocolate, sweet vanilla and cloves. On the palate it shows a racy acidity supported by plummy flavours, lively and well put together.

Fragrant nose of freesia, roses, violets and roasted cherries with herbal undertones. Fresh and vibrant, with crunchy tannins and layers of clove and liquorice.

Fresh leafy nose with vegetal notes framed by plummy black cherries, blueberries and vanilla. Robust, with firm tannins, a huge concentration and a long rich finish.

Floral with violet and fresh fruit notes, and crushed herbs aromas. Quite expressive on the palate, with fine-grained tannins, vibrant and bright.

Attractive display of smoky and toasty notes with crunchy black currants, violets and spices. Lovely freshness provided by a juicy acidity on the palate, plenty of substance, with a lingering finish.

Appealing ripe black cherry and sweet oak spice aromas, with nuances of flowers. Dry with a lively acidity providing a lot of freshness. Smooth tannins, very well-integrated.

Focused nose with ripe fruits seasoned with clove, cedary oak and hints of earthy notes. Youthful and energetic, with big tannins, full body and a crunchy acidity.

Lovely nose of roasted cherries and cinnamon spice. Juicy and intense on the palate, very elegant, with a lovely transparency.

Subtle aromas of herbs, vanilla, black cherry and nutmeg. It shows density on the palate and a tangy acidity.

Plummy nose with elegant herbal undertones and earthy nuances. Delicate on the palate, showing freshness and ripe smooth tannins.

Rich and oaky nose displaying liquorice, chocolate and dark berries. Crunchy and refreshing, with dense ripe tannins.

Shy nose of blueberries, fresh red fruits and herbal notes. Quite fluid and juicy on the palate.

Attractive scents of bright blackcurrants, cedar, clove and leather. Firm palate, bright, youthful and fruit focused.

Perfumed and ethereal, with nuances of violets, pepper, flint and vanilla. Very nicely managed tannins, powerful yet refined.

Fresh vegetal notes with earthy aromas of forest underbrush and black fruits. Lively and youthful, firm chewy tannins.

Herbal berries with violet and savoury undertones and hints of vanilla. Plummy on the palate, full, soft and round.

Restrained notes of flowers, dry cherries and toasted almonds. Refined tannins on the palate with a mouthwatering acidity.

Savoury aromas with scents of tobacco under pronounced vanilla and cherry notes. Rich and smooth, flinty finish.

Somewhat peachy nose with a lovely complexity and roasted meat notes wrapped in creamy oak. Lovely grip, well-defined tannins.

Beautiful aromas, precisely delineated, of sweet black cherry and blackberry. Firm, assertive and quite angular on the palate.

Friendly shy nose of black pepper, dark cherries and sweet oak spices. Medium-bodied with a refreshing acidity, nicely integrated.

Slightly smoky with pure floral notes, graphite and blue fruit aromas. Chewy tannins and violet memories on the finish.

<p>Planted in 1975 at 230 metres, La Fornace is the lowest in altitude of Villa Calcinaia’s three Gran Selezione vineyards. It enjoys a southern exposure on predominantly sandy soil interspersed with grey clay. It smells of warm bricks and iron on a backdrop of cherry and plum. The tannins have a gritty, sandy feel but are polished and accessible. They elegantly frame the sweet fruit, while sappy acidity keeps this fresh. Drink now and over the mid-term.</p>

Quite appealing cedary nose with notes of roasted meat and chestnuts. Lots of charm on the palate, mouthwatering acidity.

Savoury nose of cedar forest, undergrowth, pepper and Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied with big firm tannins, robust and muscular.

Exuberantly floral nose with flinty notes, pomegranate and red currant. Quite a robust and chewy palate, savoury finish.

Delicate nose of dried and fresh blackberries, warm spices and undergrowth notes. Velvety texture showing finesse and fine-grained tannins.

Waxy and toasty scents followed by liquorice and intense cherry aromas. Very concentrated and rich on the palate.

Vibrant aromas of ripe black cherry, sundried tomato and tea leaf. Upfront mellowed fruit on the palate, quite layered.

Subtle nose with woodland flowers, blueberries, dark cherries and plums. Pretty on the palate with orange peel notes, assertive but well-integrated.

Subtle scents of wild herbs, toast, crunchy violets and hints of spices. Sophisticated with chalky tannins and plenty of cherry flavour.

Lovely aromas of candied flowers, sour cherries and toasted almonds. Creamy on the palate with a tangy acidity keeping freshness. Plenty of depth.

Sweet oak nuances over ripe strawberry and floral undertones. Cool fruit on the palate with ripe well-resolved tannins.

Gentle aromas of mixed spice, sour cherries, violets and cedar. Distinctive, with a savoury palate and slightly salty finish.

Developed nose showing mushroomy notes, oak nuances, and crushed rocks. Smooth and full on the palate, savoury finish.

Toasty scents framed by forest floor, blueberry and herbal notes. Medium-bodied in the mouth, with a savoury aftertaste.

Restrained aromas of char-grilled cherries, peppery spice, Earl Grey tea and clove. Harmonious on the palate, firm structure.

Mellowed nose of blackberry, dark cherries, liquorice and creamy oak. Gravelly-textured tannins supported by crunchy fruit.

Intriguing aromas of soft red fruits, medicinal herbs, black currants and white pepper. Harmonious, with a vibrant freshness.

Leafy nose with nuances of sun-dried fruit, brown sugar and liquorice. Deep on the palate and silky-textured.