Bibbiano Montornello Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018

Lots of ripe berry and cherry character with hints of spices and hazelnuts. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, slightly chewy tannins and a juicy finish. Herbal undertone to the aftertaste.

Laden with black cherry and blackberry fruit, this red is lush and dense, with grainy tannins patrolling the dry finish, where iron, earth and orange peel accents emerge. Best from 2023 through 2032.

Bibbiano’s two Gran Seleziones highlight the estate’s contrasting expositions in the warm area of Castellina. Montornello hails from northeast-facing parcels sitting on calcareous clay rich in pebbles. This is persuasively fragrant with rosemary, pepper and briary fruit. An assertive, sturdy mouthful, it presents firm tannins that are sandy in quality. It's still tight and a bit austere, with a drying oak sensation, but an offsetting squeeze of blood orange on the finish makes the mouth water. Needs food or time - or both.