Antinori - San Sano : Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021

Tasting characteristics and serving tips for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021 Antinori - San Sano

Tasting

Color
The color is a bright ruby red with subtle violet highlights.

Nose
The bouquet is strikingly fresh, led by notes of fresh raspberries, blackcurrant, and blueberries. Delicate hints of goji berries add a gentle sweetness, while pomegranate brings vivid lift. Floral nuances of lily of the valley mingle with fine notes of gianduja and a subtle talc-like softness.

Palate
On the palate, this wine is vibrant, linear, and energetic. Exceptional freshness accompanies a marked sense of minerality. Fine, savory tannins structure the palate with elegance. The long finish reveals notes of lychee, tamarind, and dried fruit.

Food and wine pairings
This Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021 pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, game birds, pasta with tomato- and meat-based sauces, and aged Italian cheeses such as Tuscan pecorino.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021 Antinori - San Sano, serve at 60–64°F. Decant for one hour to heighten its aromatic complexity.

Other characteristics
Alcohol: 14.5% ABV.

A high-altitude Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, a pure expression of Tuscan Sangiovese

The estate
The Antinori family, winemakers since 1385, acquired the San Sano estate in 2014 in Gaiole in Chianti, at the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico. Now led by Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia Antinori, the property covers 200 hectares, with about 100 hectares of vineyards planted almost exclusively to Sangiovese. Set between 375 and 450 meters above sea level on steep slopes of calcareous-clay soils rich in alberese and galestro, San Sano embodies the family's deep Tuscan roots.

The vineyard
The San Sano estate lies in Gaiole in Chianti, in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The vineyard extends over roughly 100 hectares, planted almost entirely to Sangiovese. The parcels selected for this Chianti Classico Gran Selezione sit at higher elevations, between 375 and 450 meters, with predominantly south, southeast, and northwest exposures. Soils are primarily calcareous marl with a high proportion of fine gravel, notably alberese and galestro, with areas of ocher clay and scattered rocky outcrops. Excellent drainage allows the terroir to express itself optimally.

The vintage
Winter and early spring 2021 brought average seasonal temperatures with regular rainfall through late March. March itself was particularly warm, leading to slightly early budbreak in early April. May and June were normal with well-distributed rains, fostering excellent flowering and fruit set. Summer was warm and dry, especially in August, with a few scattered showers late in the month. September and October offered ideal ripening conditions with generous sunshine, pronounced diurnal shifts, and moderate breezes.

Winemaking and aging
The grapes for this wine were hand-harvested into small crates, then hand-sorted on a table before destemming and gentle crushing. Alcoholic fermentation lasted about 20 days in small 5-ton stainless steel tanks, with delicate punch-downs and controlled pump-overs. Temperature was held around 86°F to favor aromatic intensity and preserve varietal identity. Malolactic fermentation occurred in stainless steel. In February 2022, the wine was racked to 1,200-liter French oak for about 11 months of maturation. Bottling took place in June 2023, followed by at least 18 months of bottle aging before release.

Grape variety
100% Sangiovese