Don Tommaso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018

This is the selection of the best sangiovese grapes all over the estate. Harvest is done by hand; the grapes are destemmed and put in open, frustum cone-shaped stainless steel vats, with a temperature control system; after 24 hours at 20°C the grapes are inoculated with selected indigenous yeasts; total day of fermentation process for Sangiovese is 18 days and for Merlot 16 days at a max temperature of 28° C. Aged 16 months mainly in tonneaux of 500 and 700 lt, than at least 14 months in bottle.

The grapes are from 5,800 plants per ha/2,347 plants per acres. Soil composition is pliocenic hills rich of river stones in the area of San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Florence.

The Gran Selezione Don Tommaso is a truly and appealing wine for all the lovers of red wines with a great intensity and taste structure. Very intense ruby red, it has an intriguing aromatic profile that presents sensual aromas of small ripe red and black berries, tobacco and balsamic hints. On the palate, it is characterized by structure, fullness, and smooth tannins, with fruity and spicy exuberance in the foreground. Each sip is defined by the big percentage of Sangiovese, that brings vibrant freshness, with the small contribution of Merlot that smooths the long persistence. Bonus: gourmandise. 95 pts Doctor Wine, 95 pts James Suckling, 95 pts Falstaff, 94 pts Wines Critic, 91 pts Decanter, 93 pts Wine Enthusiast

To be paired with stewed or cooked dishes or other long-cooked meat preparations, aged cheeses, pigeon confit with beetroot compote, venison with juniper, or duck breast lacquered with honey and mustard, stewed duck, Florentine trippa, beef fillet with sour cherries, braised lamb chops with thyme and a sprinkling of cocoa powder, escargot a` la Bourguignonne, risotto with glazed quail and “Aceto Tradizionale” vinegar.