The 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Clemente VII comes together with a better sense of precision and focus compared to past vintages. You get the richness and the volume of this clearly more concentrated wine on the one hand, with the delicate perfumes of wild rose, cassis and plum that are distinctively Sangiovese on the other. This is a robust and well-constructed expression of the grape with the heft and power to pair with a grilled T-bone steak. Some 80% of the wine ages in Slavonian botti, and 20% is aged in barrique for 12 months. Some 10,000 bottles were made.

Now upgraded from Riserva status, the 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Clemente VII offers a dark and brooding interpretation of Sangiovese. This is a pure expression of the Tuscan grape that has been aged in 80% botte grande and 20% French barrique to create a balanced approach between the wine's oak half and its fruity side. The finish is chewy and rich with lingering tones of tar and licorice. The 2012 vintage was a hot one and you can taste that extra power in this wine.