Comparison
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione vs McLaren Vale Shiraz
How Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and McLaren Vale Shiraz differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more earthy character; Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more acidity; Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more savoury character.
Choose
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Choose Chianti Classico Gran Selezione if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more savoury.
Choose
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Choose McLaren Vale Shiraz if you want something spicier, stronger and warmer, fuller and richer.
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.
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.
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.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
McLaren Vale Shiraz is spicier: medium against low.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
McLaren Vale Shiraz is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
McLaren Vale Shiraz is fuller and richer: 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.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Floral character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | McLaren Vale Shiraz |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| 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 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) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | black cherry, leather, tobacco, dried herbs, espresso | blackberry, red plum, dark chocolate, sea salt, liquorice |
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
McLaren Vale Shiraz
Maritime-cooled South Australian Shiraz — a touch fresher and more red-fruited than the Barossa, with a salted-chocolate edge.
Comparison
Chianti Classico Riserva vs Gran Selezione
What does the top tier actually require?