Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone 2015

Il Molino di Grace is one of our favorite Tuscan finds, and we’ve been big supporters for years. A glorious estate and a family living their dream is attractive enough...but when the wines are this good? It takes things to a whole new level. 95 points for their top-of-the-line Chianti – perfectly aged and ready to drink!

Frank Grace is the rare American making world-class juice in Tuscany. He bought the property after falling in love with the region in the 90s, and the old vines and the fine soils near Panzano inspired him (and now his sons) to make the absolute best wines possible in the classic tradition (this wine is also certified organic!). They even ripped out the cabernet on the property to focus on the traditional 100% sangiovese. Truly, sensational wine is being made, and with this recent string of killer vintages, they have been off the charts.

This is their “Il Margone” Gran Selezione – a step higher than their Riserva, and the absolute pinnacle of their portfolio – the highest plots, the best lots, all lovingly aged for longer in new and once-used barrels for 30 months. 8 years young, this powerful Chianti is perfect now, or ten years from now. Treat this as you would a Brunello – the longer aging and greater influence of oak, combined with the structure obtained in their top lots, makes for a wine built to last. Add in the tremendous 2015 Tuscan vintage, and you have something special, indeed.

Definitely falls on the ripe, lush, warm, and wildly delicious side of Chianti. It’s so round and plush, rocking dried and fresh sweet cherry, strawberry preserves, rich dark cocoa, coffee bean, plum and berry pie, bay laurel, polished leather, and that fantastic, can’t-get-enough citrus oil note that we love about sangiovese. Super savory and long on the finish too, with a spice profile that carries the wine onward impressively for nearly a minute.

95 points, plus a whole slew of top scores, and glowing praise, from myriad critics...to us this is a sleeper pick for one of the top Chianti wines in all of 2015. It may have taken a few years longer to get there, but wow, is it singing here and now! At under $30, this is worth a six-pack, at least!

PAIRING IDEAS: Don’t overthink this one...pasta with meat (beef, pork, veal...all three), tomato-based sauce, lots of grated parmigiano-reggiano, a bit of basil, a drizzle of good olive oil...and you’ll be in heaven!