Querceto 2015 Il Picchio, Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico Riserva

The Gran Selezione title is Chianti's version of a Grand Cru. It's the highest possible designation for a wine from the Chianti Classico zone. To achieve Gran Selezione status the wine must be made entirely from a single estate like the Il Picchio. The Il Picchio vineyard at Castello Di Querceto lies on an east-southeast facing hill at an altitude of 1300-1400 feet. Named for the woodpeckers that inhabit the area the vineyard is surrounded by oak and chestnut trees which protect the grapes from the cold northern wind. The mature 30 year old vines are rigorously pruned to reduce yields (resulting in about one bottle of wine per plant). Grapes are all handpicked and carefully sorted; 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo/Colorino. Maceration and fermentation is temperature-controlled over about 20 days. Then the wine is aged in oak barrels from the forest of Troncais, Allier and Limousine for 12 months followed by aging in bottle for a minimum of 6 months.

James Suckling scored this 96 points saying "Lots of blackberry pie, vanilla, cedar, blackcurrants, dried lemon peel, blueberries and meatier elements that lurk beneath the very fine notes of blue fruit. Very layered with grippy tannins, which fall into just the right degree of ripeness. The tannins run around the full body that is brought to life by the acidity that pierces right through to the long finish. Drink in 2022."