Comparison
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione vs Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
How Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more earthy character; Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more savoury character; Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon has more herbal / green character.
Choose
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Choose Chianti Classico Gran Selezione if you want something earthier, more savoury, fresher and more acidic.
Choose
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Choose Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon if you want something more herbal and green.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is more savoury: high against medium.
Herbal / green character
Clear differenceHerbs, grass, blackcurrant leaf, capsicum and other green notes, largely driven by methoxypyrazines and picking decisions.
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is more herbal and green: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is fresher and more acidic: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Body: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Savoury character | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | black cherry, leather, tobacco, dried herbs, espresso | cassis, black cherry, bay leaf, graphite, cedar |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The top tier of Chianti Classico, introduced in 2013: estate fruit only, longer ageing, and since 2023 a higher Sangiovese minimum.
Style
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Structured, refined Cabernet from a strongly maritime corner of Western Australia — the New World region closest to Bordeaux in balance.
Comparison
Chianti Classico Riserva vs Gran Selezione
What does the top tier actually require?