Gabbiano 2011 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione "Bellezza" 750ml
Perfumed cassis, cracked clove, vanilla, dried violets and fresh leather open this concentrated Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, the top of the sangiovese quality pyramid for Castello di Gabbiano. Grapes are sourced from the distinctive vineyard Bellezza, meaning "Beauty", and are spared no expense in production and aging. The full bodied, dense palate teems with potent black florals, concentrated cassis, black cherry and tarry blackberry. Ample tannins are ripe and slightly gummy, well supporting the weight of all this power and moderated by lifted acidity. Ripe blackberry and piercing vanilla close out the lingering, bitter edged finish. Still very much in youth; decant now and serve with beef tenderloin or rack of lamb, or lay down for another 3-5 years and allow this to marry and deepen further.
Score: 89 points -- Treve Ring, Gismondi on Wine, July 2015