On the Road with the Grape Guy
Anteprima: Gran Selezione 2025
06 Oct 2025- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
The Opener ...
When Gran Selezione was introduced to great fanfare, no one had any idea how popular it would become, and how controversial it could be. The original idea was to create 100% Sangiovese wines (Cru Style), but the rules of Chianti Classico has allowed for other varieties, so why shouldn’t Gran Selezione? And so there was a watering down to appease some; causing some producer to protest, and not make Gran Selezione level wine, unless that was changed … now we are seeing the rules tighten, and the style is coming more into focus – and this is for the better.
Gran Selezione is Chianti Classico's response to Brunello, Vino Nobile, and the other top wines of Italy that stressed single vineyards, single variety, as their jumping-off point. Today, Gran Selezione is the pinnacle wine from Chianti producers, some 10+ years from its initial launch. Gran Selezione has become synonymous with the highest quality, single vineyard, single fruit-based Chianti Classico has to offer. This is why many of the top tasters start with these wines, and will move to the Riservas and Annatas once they've exhausted the Gran Selezione list.
I would love to tell you that every Gran Selezione is a masterpiece, worthy of every dollar you put down. Alas, I cannot, and will not, pander to you in that manner. In my top and better list below, there are a dozen wines out of 116 tasted. Another 44 make the good category. Gran Selezione is in the eye of the beholder, or maybe palate would be closer to the truth. But I'd stake my reputation on these 56 wines being worth your time and effort.
The Anteprima's Best
... TOP WINE ...
Castello di Ama 2021 "San Lorenzo" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
Nice smoky cherry with good acidity, and nice tannin structure; layered and lovely with a long finish. Good bottle for a long night.
... The BETTER ... 
Ca' di Pesa 2021 "Burrone" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
This is a little bit on the high-toned side and has a little bit of green to it; but there's a fruit core on the palate that sings with some nice acid backing; I dig this, although I think I shouldn't.
Dievole 2021 "Vigna Sessina" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
Light yet with a modicum of concentration; good acidity, bright and fresh, pretty with hints of floral and strawberry.
Fontodi 2021 "Vigna del Sorbo" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
The fruit is clean. The spice is gentle. The acidity is good to the point of cleaning up that bright cherry fruit, and it finishes with a nice balsamic kick.
Il Molino di Grace 2021 "Il Margone" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
The spice here is really good, while the acidity plays well with the fruit, namely dark plum, mocha and cherry with a balsamic kick. Needs a few years, but it's a kick-ass bottle of wine.
La Sala del Torriano 2021 "Il Torriano" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
Pretty big in the fruit department with some nice acidity and spice to back it up - pretty ballsy Gran Selezione.
Poggio al Sole 2022 "Casasilia" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
Here we finally have a fruit-driven affair with some tannins and wood backing it up - it's a more drink now "Selezione", or within the next 5 years, kinda wine and it will be appreciated by those that are looking for big fruit in their Gran Selezione.
Riecine 2021 "Vigna Gittori" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
High-toned fruit brings a lovely black cherry to the palate and surrounds it with a hint of vanilla and some savoury notes.
Ruffino 2020 "Riserva Ducale Oro" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
This has good stuffing: meaty, yet fruity, and savoury with good acidity and spice.
Tenuta di Campomaggio 2021 "Santa Teresa" - Gran Selezione - Chianti Classico
An elegance of flavour with both mocha and black cherry notes, plus a good balsamic hit. Finish is long and elegant.
... GOOD ...
Arillo in Terrabianca 2020 "Terrabianca" - Gran Selezione
Borgo la Stella 2021 Gran Selezione
Boschetto Campacci 2021 "Ruello" - Gran Selezione
Cantalici 2020 Gran Selezione
Carpineta Fontalpino 2020 "Vigna Dofana" - Gran Selezione
Carpineta Fontalpino 2020 "Vigna Montaperto" - Gran Selezione
Carpineto 2021 Gran Selezione
Casa Emma 2021 Gran Selezione
Castelli del Grevepesa 2020 "Clemente VII" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Albola 2021 "Il Solatio" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Fonterutoli 2021 "Castello Fonterutoli" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Gabbiano 2021 "Cerbaiola" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Monsanto 2020 "Vigna Il Poggio" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Querceto 2022 "Il Piicchio" - Gran Selezione
Castello di Volpaia 2021 "Il Puro Casanova" - Gran Selezione
Castello Vicchiomaggio 2021 "Le Bolle" - Gran Selezione
Colle Bereto 2020 Gran Selezione
Colombaio di Cencio 2021 "Vinci" - Gran Selezione
Conte Guicciardini / Belvedere Campoli 2020 "Il Tabernacolo" - Gran Selezione
Conti Capponi / Villa Calcinaia 2021 "Vigna Bastignano" - Gran Selezione
Famiglia Zingarelli 2022 "Tenuta Fizzano, Il Crocino" - Gran Selezione
Fattoria Montecchio 2021 "Pasquino" - Gran Selezione
Felsina 2022 "Rancia" - Gran Selezione
Felsina 2021 "Colonia" - Gran Selezione
Fontodi 2021 "Terrazze San Leolino" - Gran Selezione
Gaglione 2021 "Gallule" - Gran Selezione
Istine 2021 "Vigna Istine" - Gran Selezione
Lamole di Lamole 2020 "Vigneto di Campolunga" - Gran Selezione
Le Fonti / Panzano 2021 "Le Fonti" - Gran Selezione
Nardi Viticoltori 2021 "Vigna del Pino" - Gran Selezione
Nittardi 2021 Gran Selezione
Oliviera 2020 "Sandro Bandini" - Gran Selezione
Poggio al Sole 2021 "Casasilia" - Gran Selezione
Principe Corsin / Villa Le Corti 2021 "Don Tommaso" - Gran Selezione
Querciabella 2020 Gran Selezione
Ricasoli 2022 "Castello di Brolio" - Gran Selezione
Ruffino 2022 "Romitorio di Santedame" - Gran Selezione
Ruffino 2021 "Riserva Ducale Oro" - Gran Selezione
San Felice Toscana AD 714 2021 "Le Pieve" - Gran Selezione
Tenuta Perano / Frescobaldi 2020 "Rialzi" - Gran Selezione
Tenuta San Vincenti 2021 Gran Selezione
Tolaini 2021 "Vigna Montebello Sette" - Gran Selezione
