Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/977771
may 2018 / the tasting panel / 55 The new owners invested heavily in bringing the historic estate back to life: In addition to restoring the dilapidated vineyard terraces, they reintroduced native flora like the Florentine iris—source of botanical orris root—to the area. After converting to organic practices several years ago, the property achieved official Organic Certification from Italy's ICEA (the E.U.-sanctioned Istituto per la Certificazione Etica e Ambientale) begin- ning with the 2017 vintage. Kristina Sazama, Wine Educator for Santa Margherita USA, explains that the differences among Lamole di Lamole's three Chianti Classicos result in part from their respective blends of grapes from the estate's five vineyards. "The Chianti Classico contains some Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; its nice core of fruit makes it ready to drink on release," says Sazama. "The Chianti Classico Riserva is an old-school expression containing indigenous grape Canaiolo; it has stronger minerality and is more savory in style. The Gran Selezione comes solely from the Campolungo vineyard, is made with the oldest fruit parcels, and is the smallest- production wine made at Lamole di Lamole." In summing up the appeal of these wines, Sazama notes that "consumers love all things Tuscan. The challenge is to get them to understand the higher quality level of Chianti Classico." As a bright star in the DOGC, Lamole di Lamole sets a shining example. Lamole di Lamole On-Premise Jon McDaniel, Corporate Beverage Director and Sommelier for Chicago's Gage Hospitality Group, regularly features Lamole di Lamole at the group's upscale Italian concept Acanto. One of six establish- ments he oversees, the restaurant has an exemplary wine list that serves as "a study of everywhere in Italy," McDaniel says. "The goal of the restaurant is to showcase the past, present, and future of Italian wine," notes the award-winning somm. "I can think of no better example of this than in Lamole di Lamole, with the historic bottling of DOCG Chianti Classico and the iconic Gran Selezione." McDaniel notes that "Chianti Classico always speaks of quality to the guest," and Lamole di Lamole is "one of our top-selling Chianti Classicos—a quality iconic wine of Italy." For spring, he prefers to serve the Lamole di Lamole Gran Selezione with Chef Christopher Gawronski's housemade rigatoni with lamb ragu. "The wine's dried- cherry herbaceousness pairs with the meaty juiciness of the ragu and the caciocavallo cheese," McDaniel says. NOTES FROM THE WINE DIRECTOR by Jon McDaniel, Corporate Wine Director and Sommelier, Gage Hospitality Group, Chicago Lamole di Lamole 2014 Chianti Classico DOCG Tradition means modern think- ing in this wine, which is packed with ripe raspberry flavors layered on top of Santa Claus spices and hand-smacked basil, as well as a pretty significant note of oaky texture and flavor that's a bit dried rosemary and a bit Nilla Wafer. This is a great pairing with a classic Bolognese sauce that brings the rich meatiness of the dish to the forefront without being too dense or acidic for the tomato. Lamole di Lamole 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto di Campolungo The balance and harmony of the Sangiovese and Cabernet meet with pretty, plush, and concentrated red fruit, like huckleberry meets Swedish lingonberry punch. Deep notes of dried pine needles, Italian herbs, and forest rain add to a huge barrel-driven wine that lovers of Bordeaux, Bolgheri, and Bond will fill their cellars with vintage after vintage. At Acanto in Chicago, Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto di Campolungo pairs with Chef Christopher Gawronski's housemade rigatoni with lamb ragu. Jon McDaniel, Corporate Wine Director and Sommelier for Chicago's Gage Hospitality Group, calls Lamole di Lamole "a quality iconic wine of Italy."