The 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio is the only single-vineyard wine made by Barone Ricasoli in this difficult vintage. This wine is normally bottled in the summer and given two years in glass before it is released. This edition will be given additional bottle time to allow it to flesh out further and it will be released at the beginning of 2016. Some 20,000 bottles were produced. The bouquet is redolent of violets and pressed rose with wild berry and dry earth at the back. The 2011 vintage is definitely softer, riper and sweeter in character. Small percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are added to Sangiovese. This vintage is slightly less intense and thinner in terms of texture.