In the glass
Aroma: sour cherry, violet, graphite, Mediterranean herbs
Palate: red plum, tobacco, iron, balsamic
Sangiovese-led Gran Selezione from Castelnuovo Berardenga with a small slice of the rare indigenous Pugnitello grape.
What it pairs with
-
Bistecca alla fiorentina
Find bistecca alla fiorentina on TableJourney →
Gran Selezione tannins frame the T-bone marbling. -
Wild boar pappardelle
Find wild boar pappardelle on TableJourney →
Iron-graphite mineral resonates with boar ragu. -
Aged pecorino with chestnut honey
Sweet umami meets red-fruit lift.
How to serve San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Bistecca alla fiorentina, Wild boar pappardelle, Aged pecorino with chestnut honey. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Originally a Vigorello-stable Sangiovese Riserva, now bottled at the Gran Selezione tier from the Poggio Rosso vineyards at Castelnuovo Berardenga. Includes a small percentage of Pugnitello, the indigenous grape recovered by San Felice from near-extinction.
- 1979 — First vintage of Il Grigio Riserva
- 2013 — Reclassified Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Facts
- Producer
- San Felice
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (85%), Pugnitello (10%), Colorino (5%)
- Classification
- Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
- Oak
- 24 months in French oak barriques and tonneaux
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 40 to 60 at retail
- Drinking window
- 4 to 15 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1979
Scores
- Wine Advocate 95 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- Vinous 94 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione
What does San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione taste like?
On the nose, sour cherry, violet, graphite, Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, red plum, tobacco, iron, balsamic. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. Sangiovese-led Gran Selezione from Castelnuovo Berardenga with a small slice of the rare indigenous Pugnitello grape.
When should I drink San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione?
Drink 4 to 15 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione?
Bistecca alla fiorentina is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild boar pappardelle and Aged pecorino with chestnut honey. Gran Selezione tannins frame the T-bone marbling.
What grapes are in San Felice Il Grigio Gran Selezione?
The blend is Sangiovese (85%), Pugnitello (10%), Colorino (5%). The wine is classified as Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione.