The 2020 marks the inaugural vintage of Nittardi’s Gran Selezione, created as a pure Sangiovese expression from Vigna Alta, a south-facing vineyard at approximately 500 meters in the hills of Chianti Classico. It represents a step beyond the estate’s former Riserva concept, emphasizing the freshness, structure and mineral character of this high-elevation site.

Blend: 100% Sangiovese.

Tasting Notes: Dark cherry and blackberry lead into blueberry, dried herbs and garrigue, with violet, tobacco and warm spice developing with air. The palate is concentrated but fresh, with ripe dark fruit, savory undertones and fine-grained tannins carrying into a long, persistent finish.

Structure: Full-bodied and firmly built, with vibrant acidity balancing the wine’s concentration and 15% alcohol. Fine, substantial tannins provide the framework for further development, while the élevage in predominantly used 500-liter oak preserves definition rather than overwhelming the Sangiovese fruit.

Drink Window: 2026–2042. The 2020 remains youthful, and Nittardi itself anticipates approximately two decades of evolution. It can be enjoyed now with aeration, but several additional years should bring greater integration and more savory, tertiary complexity.

Decanting: If opening now, decant for approximately 60–90 minutes to allow the fruit, spice and youthful tannins to open. Serve around 60–64°F in a generous Sangiovese or Burgundy-style glass.

As the first vintage of Nittardi’s Gran Selezione, the 2020 has an additional point of interest for collectors while remaining firmly grounded in what matters in the glass: pure Sangiovese, high-elevation fruit and serious structure. It is equally well suited to medium-term cellaring or a substantial Tuscan dinner alongside bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar, roast lamb, porcini or aged Pecorino.