The Castello di Monsanto 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio is a blend of 95% Sangiovese with smaller parts Canaiolo and Colorino aged in oak for 18 months. The Vigna Il Poggio measures 5.2 hectares and sees a mix of local soils, including pietraforte (a type of hardened sandstone that tends to make structural wines of depth). The wine opens to dark fruit aromas, light spice, grilled herb and integrated tannins, and it closes with tart fruit and nice freshness. This is an 18,000-bottle release.

Laura Bianchi and her team make exceptional wine, and I am always happy to recommend Castello di Monsanto. The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio exhibits a dark garnet color, although there is less shiny luster in this hot vintage. Ripe aromas of baked plum, raspberry tart and strawberry confit rise from the bouquet. The fruit is complemented by lightly toasted spice. With fruit from 5.2-hectares with galestro-rich soils, this is a production of 160,000 bottles.

This is an elegant and graceful wine. The Castello di Monsanto 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio is a dark and sultry expression that maintains the polished and sophisticated house style for which this estate is known. This top shelf Sangiovese shows a slightly sweet side with dried raspberry and blueberry, but it also delivers a lot of freshness with balsam herb, blue flower, rosemary and cypress tree.

With this vintage, this wine has been bumped up from Riserva to Gran Selezione status—representing the first stab at this category from the folks at Castello di Monsanto. The 2014 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio delivers as much power and intensity as you can expect given the vintage. Rigorously produced in the traditional style that has become a hallmark at Castello di Monsanto, the bouquet embraces savory aromas of leather, potting soil and Porcini mushroom. The primary fruit is a little faded in 2014, but you do get blackberry and blackcurrants on the finish. Pair it with it a marinated and grilled sirloin. Only 7,000 bottles were made.