2013 Rocca di Montegrossi San Marcellino

Gaiole in Chianti. 93% Sangiovese, 7% Pugnitello. Lustrous deep ruby. Closed nose with hints of beef stock. Still youthful and compact on the palate but with a fine, concentrated core of sweet-sour cherry with acidic nerve. Medium-bodied but still lush fruit sensations and gorgeous mouth-filling tannins. Needs age. 17.5 points

A dazzling, explosive wine, the 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is endowed with serious aromatic presence, color intensity and overall depth. Dark red and purplish-fruit, exotic, spice and leather are all boldly sketched in a vivid, stunning Chianti Classico that comes alive in the glass. The tannins are present, but they are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. What a stunningly beautiful wine this is. After a trio of warm vintages, 2013 was a welcome change. When all was said and done, the 2013 was picked later than the 2014. 96 points