Villa a Sesta Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sorleone 2016

A serious up-and-comer in the world of fine Chianti, the gorgeous and ancient village of Villa a Sesta is of Etruscan origins, set into the majestic hills of Siena. Churning out this 93 POINT beauty – for less than $30, no less – this is an extraordinarily special Gran Selezione for a bargain! Free shipping on 4 or more!

Picture this: a bustling, picture-perfect village of just 12 (TWELVE!) full-time residents in the glorious, rolling hills of the famed Chianti Classico. Practically heaven, right? That’s what’s been bottled here – a generously warm, unctuous, and pure glass of Tuscan ambrosia, just for you. It’s hard to overstate the excellence of the 2016 vintage in Italy (and especially Tuscany), in all its lush yet fresh, supremely balanced, complex, and cellar-worthy glory. This has got simply all the good stuff in one magnanimous bottling!

The 100% sangiovese grapes hail from three different vineyards: Casanova (rich in silt and clay), Caggio vineyards (with abundant galestro deposits), and Vigneti della Cava (sandy clay soils particularly rich in minerals). These hillside vineyards thrived in Tuscany’s classic 2016 growing season, and higher yields of fruit, perfectly ripe with a glorious depth of flavor, color, and structure was the end result. Following fermentation, the wine spent 15 months in new barriques before being transferred for an additional 15 months in large, neutral wooden barrels. From there, the wine was bottled and rested for an additional 12 months before hitting the market. It is this exceptional aging and new oak exposure that makes this a “Gran Selezione” offering – Chianti’s answer to a modern-day Brunello di Montalcino. Deeper, richer, with a more pronounced structure – these wines are brawny and dynamic in a way not commonly found amongst most Chianti Classicos.

Floral notes of roses and violets give way to more domineering expressions of blackberries, cherries, and raspberries – elegantly harnessed by sensations of new leather, fresh-turned earth, clove, and peppery spices. The finish is expansive and long, yet nevertheless incredibly smooth. Lovers of New World cabs, Garagiste Bordeaux, and the aforementioned modern Brunello style are a perfect fit for this wine – that just so happens to come in at far, far less than the average price point of any of those other options. Try a few and you’ll be coming back, begging for more. While it lasts, at least!

PAIRING IDEAS: Give this a go with a big ol’ steak and opt for the reverse sear. Season with a rub of salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, and cayenne, then slow-smoke with white oak to about 120 degrees. Then, sear it at 700+ degrees to get a perfect crust until it reaches about 125 internal. Rest for 15 minutes, slice, and serve with a glass of this...you’ll be grand!