Castello di Monsanto “Il Poggio” Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021
James Suckling #18 Wine of the Year – Italy (Top 100 Wines of 2026)
97 Points, Vinous – 97 Points, Wine Spectator – 97 Points, James Suckling
The 2020 ‘Il Poggio’ Gran Selezione wasn’t just the best Chianti Classico of any kind made last year, it was Vinous’ #1 Wine of the Year in 2025. That’s ridiculously high praise. But in what was undoubtedly a stronger vintage (2021) throughout Tuscany, it should come as no surprise that this wine is literally every bit as good as its predecessor with an argument that it is better. It was treated to a trio of 97-point scores from a group of well-respected wine critics, each with more effusive praise than the next. This is one for all Italian collectors and will almost certainly end up on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, as it did at the #19 spot on James Suckling’s list for best Italian Wines of 2026.
Original price was: $135.00.$95.00Current price is: $95.00.
Availability: In stock
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97 Points, Vinous
“The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Il Poggio is a worthy follow-up to the magical 2020. In fact, the 2020 and 2021 may very well be the two finest back-to-back vintages ever for Il Poggio! Vibrant dark red cherry fruit, mocha, dried herbs, tobacco, cedar and leather are some of the many notes that open with a bit of coaxing. The 2021 is a bit more classically austere next to the 2020, very much in the style of this great vintage. It will be so fascinating to taste both wines over time, as they represent the pinnacle of excellence for this benchmark Chianti Classico estate.”
97 Points, Wine Spectator
“There’s purity to this red’s cherry, strawberry, pomegranate and floral aromas and flavors, all aligned with a silky texture and elegant profile. Eucalyptus and Tuscan scrub flavors add depth. Shows plenty of structure underneath, ensuring a long life ahead. Offers excellent balance and stony, mineral length.”
97 Points, James Suckling
Fresh and multilayered, slightly reductive, but in a positive way, showing raspberries, red currants, strawberries, and cherries with pits. An almost minty depth and a whiff of rhubarb as well. Medium-bodied, offering sleek, ripe and refined tannins with a hint of chalky texture typical of Sangiovese grapes. Long, refreshing acidity leads to a chewy, youthful and energetic finish.
Castello di Monsanto is one of the true titans of Tuscany, famous for fundamentally changing the identity of the Chianti Classico region. In 1962, Fabrizio Bianchi made a move that was radical at the time: he produced the first-ever single-vineyard Chianti Classico from the estate’s legendary Il Poggio vineyard.
By bucking the traditional practice of blending grapes from various sites, Monsanto proved that Sangiovese was capable of producing “Cru” level wines of incredible character and longevity. His decision would set the stage for the modern era of high-end Tuscan viticulture, establishing the estate as a historical pioneer that prioritizes the unique voice of the land over regional blending customs.
The magic of Monsanto lies in its incredible library of older vintages and its unique “galestro” soils, which imbue the wines with a distinctive mineral skeleton and breathtaking elegance. The wines are known for being remarkably long-lived, often requiring years of cellar time to reveal their complex layers. Under the guidance of Fabrizio’s daughter, Laura Bianchi, the estate continues to uphold a standard of classical precision, avoiding modern trends in favor of a timeless, savory style.
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