Gran Selezione etc – mainly 2016s

Fontodi and the Conca d'Oro vineyards below Panzano in Chianti Classico

There is little doubt that 2016 was a landmark vintage for Tuscan reds. This beautiful image of the Conca d'Oro vineyards below Panzano in Chianti Classico is courtesy of Fontodi. See also Walter's Italian assortment 2020 – part 2, the centre, published last week.

Those who follow Walter's valuably opinionated commentary on Italian wines may well be aware of his distaste for the newish category of Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione. You can read his objections published in 2016, in 2017, in 2018, in 2019 and in 2020.

Basically, he doesn't think there is a need for...