il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva 2017

Alcohol: 14%

Grape(s): Sangiovese

Localization: Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Tasting Notes: Very complex and spicy nose recalling red berries, cherry jam, and white pepper; abundant earthiness confirmed on the full, rich, silky, and persistent palate.

93 points James Suckling: Aromas of ripe plums, cherries, and hints of flowers follow through to a full body with juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs a few years to soften. Structured for this ripe year. Better after 2022.

Food pairing: Pair with grilled meat, game dishes, and semi-aged cheeses.

The Domain: The winery is named after a 19th-century historic windmill located on the property near the cantina. However, the viticultural history of the property is much older–the vineyards at Il Molino di Grace have been fruitful for over 350 years. When Frank Grace first purchased the property in 1995, there was no winery: all the grapes were sold to local producers. Using the site of a ruined barn, Grace and winery manager Gerhard Hirmer designed and built a state-of-the-art winery. The winery opened its doors in 1999 and today, all of our wines are estate produced and bottled using organic materials and sustainable practices in both the vineyard and cantina.

At Il Molino di Grace, we strive to produce elegant wines that are an expression of terroir through the Sangiovese grape coupled with careful use of oak for aging the wine.

The philosophy of utilizing a sustainable approach to winemaking is a critical component of our approach at Il Molino di Grace. Vineyards have existed on the property for over 350 years. There is an ancient Etruscan path that winds its way through the vineyards – and the winery itself is named after a local historic landmark, "the windmill" located on the property near the cantina. The history of the property is an essential component of the present and future of Il Molino di Grace.