Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/735024
{ SOMMjournal.com } 97 LAMOLE DI LAMOLE 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Vigneto di Camplungo ($45) Vineyards for Lamole di Lamole are situated on a hilltop with pronounced sunshine and wide diurnal swings of temperature, which push back the hang time and help eliminate the vegetative nature of the grapes and resulting wine. A site that deserves special attention for the location for Lamole di Lamole Classico Gran Reserva is a vineyard called Campolungo, a cru with its own microclimate, cooled by sea breezes from the west. "We worked with the University of Florence for clonal selection," informed Vittorio Marzotto, who is a family member in the winery and also the Business Development Manager for importer/marketing arm Santa Margherita USA. "They helped us select 40 clones, and out of those, we chose the best three that were suitable for high- altitude agriculture." With altitudes surpassing 1,800 feet above sea level, the soil types for Lamole di Lamole consist of sandstone, marl and schist. There's also significant pebble content, which allows for better drainage. Delicate and high in acidity, a cocoa nose leads to plum and dried cherry, violets and iris; there's a mineral tone of shells and a savory note of salami, damp bark and spices. Thomas Ratcliff, Wine Director at The Cosmopolitan and Steve Hua, Sommelier of Stripsteak, greet Vittorio Marzotto of Santa Margherita USA. INTRODUCING CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE: The Peak of the Region's Classifications In 2010, Chianti Classico producers created the category Gran Selezione, surpassing the Riserva wines, which are generally made only in the best vintage years and, by law, aged in wood for two years and three months in bottle (though many are aged longer). Gran Selezione refers to wines made only from estate-grown grapes and therefore is most decidedly about a sense of place. "There's so much diversity of soils even in this small zone," remarked Marzotto, noting that Chianti Classico Gran Selezione represents "a niche production of only three percent that helps define the path for these wines." SANTA MARGHERITA USA