Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico is a Tuscan red wine blending Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Rated 93 points by James Suckling, this Chianti Classico stands out for its use of optical berry selection technology before fermentation, a precision step that ensures only the finest fruit reaches the tank.Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5% | Origin: Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy | Blend: 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot | Producer: Lamole di LamoleProduction & HeritageLamole di Lamole is situated high in the hills of the Chianti Classico zone in Tuscany, one of Italy's most storied wine appellations. After harvest, grapes are destemmed and passed through an optical selector — a meticulous quality-control measure that rejects substandard berries before fermentation begins. The must ferments on the skins in stainless steel tanks, with the Sangiovese kept separate from the international varieties. The Sangiovese then matures for approximately eighteen months in oak casks, while the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot spend their maturation period in French barriques, lending subtle structure and complexity before the final blend is assembled.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with ripe mixed berries and violet florals before revealing an herbaceous earthiness and gentle vanilla-like sweetness from oak maturation. Deeper layers of balsamic spice and a whisper of chocolate emerge with time in the glass.Taste: Assertive on entry, with tart cherry and blackberry fruit meeting savory freshness at mid-palate. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot contributions add roundness and a peppery spice, while a hint of sun-dried tomato lends an unmistakably Tuscan character. Dusty, chalky tannins provide structure without heaviness, and a mineral thread keeps the wine focused and energetic.Finish: Medium to long, with firm yet fine-grained tannins carrying notes of wild berry preserve and balsamic herbs. A vibrant acidity lingers, leaving the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip — or the next bite.How to Drink Lamole di LamoleThis Chianti Classico is best served at 60–65°F (16–18°C). Enjoy it neat in a large-bowled glass to let the aromatics open fully; a brief 20-to-30-minute decant rewards with added complexity. For food-driven drinking, it pairs naturally with Italian cuisine, but also works beautifully in these wine-based cocktails: a Kalimotxo, where the wine's acidity and cherry fruit balance cola's sweetness; a New York Sour, substituting Chianti for the traditional red wine float to add Tuscan spice; or a classic Sangria Rossa, where the berry-forward profile and herbal undertones create a vibrant, layered pitcher.Best For A weeknight Italian dinner centered on pasta with ragu or grilled sausages Gifting a friend who appreciates Tuscan reds and terroir-driven wines Building a Chianti Classico vertical or regional tasting flight Bringing a crowd-pleasing bottle to a dinner party with rustic Mediterranean fare Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Lamole di Lamole taste like? It delivers tart cherry and blackberry fruit layered with savory herbs, earthy minerality, and a subtle vanilla spice from oak maturation. Firm, chalky tannins and bright acidity give it both structure and freshness.How does Lamole di Lamole compare to Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico? Both are Chianti Classico wines built on a Sangiovese backbone, but Lamole di Lamole incorporates Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (20% combined) and matures its Sangiovese in larger oak casks rather than exclusively in barriques. This tends to give Lamole di Lamole a rounder mid-palate with slightly more international-variety spice, while Pèppoli often leans toward a more purely fruit-driven, approachable style.Is Lamole di Lamole good for sipping neat? Yes — its balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity makes it rewarding on its own, especially after a short decant to let the aromatic layers fully develop.Where is Lamole di Lamole made? It is produced by the Lamole di Lamole estate in the Chianti Classico DOCG zone of Tuscany, Italy, nestled in the high-altitude hills that define the appellation's most prized vineyard sites.What foods pair well with Lamole di Lamole? Bistecca alla fiorentina or grilled lamb chops complement the wine's savory tannins. Pappardelle with wild boar ragu mirrors its earthy complexity. Aged Pecorino Toscano echoes the chalky, mineral finish. Roasted eggplant with tomato works with the wine's herbal and fruit notes. Margherita pizza is a simple match that lets the cherry fruit and acidity shine.What sizes does Lamole di Lamole come in? The standard bottling is available in the 750ml format.Is Lamole di Lamole worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Chianti Classico offering genuine complexity — optical berry selection, extended oak maturation, and a 93-point James Suckling rating — that punches above its price tier within the appellation.Why Lamole di Lamole?What separates this Chianti Classico from the crowded field is the producer's commitment to precision viticulture, particularly the use of an optical berry selector that eliminates flawed fruit before fermentation even begins. That quality-first approach translates directly into the glass: a wine rated 93 points by James Suckling and awarded Gold at the TEXSOM International Wine Awards for its 2011 vintage. The eighteen-month split-maturation program — large oak for Sangiovese, barriques for the Bordeaux varieties — creates a layered wine that respects Tuscan tradition while embracing measured modernity. For drinkers seeking a Chianti Classico with genuine depth and verifiable quality credentials, Lamole di Lamole delivers.
