Fonterutoli is located 5 km south of Castellina in Chianti (Siena), on the hills facing the Val d’Elsa, in the heart of the Chianti Classico. Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, it still retains its original form, that of a tranquil country village: a cluster of houses, the church of San Miniato and the villa, built at the end of the 1500s where the medieval castle once stood. Today, the estate comprises 117 hectares of vineyard, largely planted with Sangiovese with some Merlot, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Cabernet Sauvignon vines also planted. The cellar at Fonterutoli, designed by architect, Agnesi Mazzei, is one of the most impressive in the region, and has a minimal impact on the environment.
Plots: i) Fonterutoli: 450-550 m (1,470-1,800 ft) a.s.l. ii) Siepi: 260 m (850 ft) a.s.l.
Soil: Rocky – from decomposed limestone and sandstone
Age of vines: 15 – 30 years old
Training system: Spur cordon-training and Guyot
No of vines per hectare: 5,600 – 7,500
Harvest by hand: October 9th, start date
Blend: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Fermentation temperature: 26 – 28° C
Period of maceration: 14 – 18 days
Alcohol: 13.86%
Ageing: 12 months in small French oak barrels (225 and 500 litre / 40% new)
Bottling: February 2016
Production: 14,500 bottles
First vintage: 1981 Ageing potential: Over 20 years
2015 was characterized by a rainy winter which resulted in a good supply of water. A mild spring and an hot summer.Some rainfall in late July and after mid August led to a drop in temperatures, which created the ideal conditions for good grape ripening with the accumulation of aromatic molecules and polyphenols. An ideal year to produce a balanced wine, rich in structure, with complex aromas and long ageing potential.
Beginning of the harvest: 7/09
End of the harvest: 8/10
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 228mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3739°C
Evaluation: Very Good / Outstanding
Rich and juicy, notes of underbrush and black berries, powerful with a long finish.
Serve with Spiced dishes, stewed game and aged cheeses
Ageing potential 20 years plus
“This is fabulous with blackberry, blueberry and currant aromas. Some slate. Full body, dense and smooth with firm and silky tannins and intense fruit. This is a classic sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon blend. Don’t miss it. It needs thrre to four years to come together.”, 96 points James Suckling
Toscana IGT
80% Sangiovese
20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Natural Cork
14.47%
5.90‰
Yes
Yes
