San Felice : Il Grigio Riserva 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for San Felice’s Il Grigio Riserva 2021

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep ruby-red hue, characteristic of ripe expressions of Sangiovese.

Nose

The nose unveils a rich, persistent bouquet with aromas of violet and wild red berries. Notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, incense and dried herbs complete this complex aromatic palette. Earthy, mineral and wild aromatic-herb nuances further enrich the aromatic expression.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with a structure that is both sleek and firm. The tannins are juicy and powdery, supported by bright, pronounced acidity that brings freshness. The finish lingers, driven by flavors of black cherry, leather and tobacco. Overall, it shows a subtle balance between elegance and power.

Food and wine pairings

Il Grigio Riserva 2021 is an ideal match for pasta with meat-based sauces, roasted squab and grilled meats. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses and charcuterie.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve Il Grigio Riserva 2021 at 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but has cellaring potential until around 2042.

A powerful, elegant Chianti Classico Riserva from Tuscany

The estate

Founded in 1967 by visionary winemaker Enzo Morganti, San Felice is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern part of the Chianti Classico appellation. Owned by the Allianz group since the late 1970s, the estate now spans 150 hectares of vineyards. A pioneer of the Super Tuscans with the creation of Vigorello in 1968, San Felice stands out for its commitment to viticultural research and the preservation of indigenous Tuscan grape varieties. Leonardo Bellaccini, winemaker since 1983, currently oversees the winemaking with an approach that combines tradition and innovation.

The vineyard

Il Grigio Riserva 2021 comes from vineyards in the Chianti Classico appellation located on the San Felice estate. The parcels lie at around 400 meters above sea level on soils composed of calcareous clays, Alberese and Galestro, with mixes of gravel and pebbles. This geological diversity gives the wines excellent structure and remarkable aging potential. The vineyard benefits from a favorable microclimate, with nighttime temperature variations that preserve the grapes’ freshness and acidity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage experienced a steady growing cycle in Castelnuovo Berardenga. Spring rains supported vegetative growth and built up water reserves for the summer. Despite cool temperatures in early April that slightly delayed budbreak, the vines developed in healthy condition. The dry, moderate summer, without excessive heatwaves, was punctuated by a few sporadic rains. From late August onward, nighttime temperatures dropped significantly, promoting optimal final ripening. Harvest began around September 20, yielding grapes of exceptional quality and health.

Winemaking and aging

Following harvests carried out between the second week of September and the first week of October, the grapes for Il Grigio Riserva 2021 were vinified via temperature-controlled skin fermentation at between 28 and 30°C for 18 to 20 days. Malolactic fermentation took place in stainless-steel tanks. The wine was then aged for 24 months in oak barrels: 80% in large Slavonian oak casks of 60 to 90 hectoliters and 20% in 225-liter French barriques. An additional aging period of around 6 months in bottle preceded release.

Grape variety

This Tuscany wine is 100% Sangiovese