2021 Molino di Grace - Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone (750ml)

Il Molino di Grace takes its name from a nineteenth-century windmill still standing on the property in Panzano, within Chianti Classico, though the vineyards themselves have been cultivated for more than 350 years. American businessman Frank Grace purchased the estate in 1995, when it had no winery of its own and all its grapes were sold off to neighboring producers. Since then the estate has built its own cellar and committed to organic, dry-farmed viticulture, with an ancient Etruscan path still winding through its vineyards as a reminder of the land's long history.

Il Margone is the estate's Gran Selezione bottling, made from organically grown Sangiovese sourced from dedicated riserva vineyards sitting at 350 to 400 meters, among the slowest-ripening sites on the property. The 2021 vintage spent eighteen months aging in a combination of barrique and tonneau, followed by an additional six months resting in larger cask before bottling, a long maturation intended to build depth while keeping the wine's fruit character intact.

The finished wine shows deep crimson color and a rich, layered bouquet of crushed flowers, dark red fruit, licorice, mocha, and baking spice, with a subtle touch of French oak. On the palate it is medium to full-bodied, with firm, dusty tannins, vivid acidity, and a long finish. It pairs well with braised meats, game, and mushroom-based pasta dishes.