2016 Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione

The Panzano estate of Giovanni Manetti, president of the Chianti Classico Consorzio. Vines from an old selection of Sangiovese on a carefully chosen site and aged for 18 months in French oak, Allier and Tronçais barriques (50% new), followed by six months in large casks. Certified organic. Notably healthy crimson. Utterly hedonistic on the nose – essence of Sangiovese. Finishes with the tang of the grape variety so it's unmistakeably Chianti Classico, but it starts with opulence, flowers and – somehow in view of the alcohol – finesse. Really glorious. Dangerous, in how appetising it is when the alcohol is so high. Quintessential food wine. (JR)

Panzano – Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese. Deep, lustrous ruby. Gorgeous nose of stones, crushed cherry and perfumed raspberry. Iron. Sensationally balanced palate of ripe, concentrated fruit, energetic acidity and finely sculpted tannins. A stunning wine. (WS)

The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a wine of tremendous aromatic intensity, freshness and nuance. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of blue/purplish fruit, lavender, licorice and leather, with veins of bright acids that perk things up nicely. Readers need to be patient with the 2016, as it is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. But I have seen this before with Vigna del Sorbo. Sometimes the more reticent vintages turn out the be the most complete and thrilling wines with cellaring. I imagine that will be the case here as well.