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.
Mazzei flagship wine, Fonterutoli Chianti Classico, comes from separate vinification of the different company parcels, which spread across a unique range of soil
and climate types, at an altitude between 220 to 570 metres above sea level in the heart of the Chianti Classico area.
Vineyards location: 7 different vineyard sites, altitude: 220 – 550 m. (722 – 1,804 ft) a.s.l.
Soil: Very rich in texture, mainly Limestone
Vineyards age: 15 – 35 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training and Guyot
Nr. of vines per hectare: 4.500 – 7.500 plants
Harvest: Hand picked from September 21th
Fermentation temperature: 26-28°C
Period of maceration: 16-18 days
Ageing: 12 months in french oak barrels (225 and 500 lt / 40% new)
Bottling: January 2022
The winter of 2020 was cold with moderate rainfall. After a cool spring with adequate, well-spaced showers, the wide diurnal temperature range over the long hot summer was sufficient to ensure a smooth and problem-free ripening of the grapes. The process was also helped by rains in June and September which reduced water stress, and by an absence of pests or disease. A few cold nights in early April brought to a slightly lower yield, having affected bud burst in areas where this took place early, but the season was overall characterised by average temperatures and well-spaced rainfall gave rise to a highly satisfying harvest of top-quality grapes. With their thick skins and well-ripened phenols, these grapes will produce wines which combine fullness and structure with balance and freshness.
Beginning of the harvest: September 7th
End of the harvest: October 7th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 468 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3608 °C
Evaluation: Very good
A well proportioned wine with an elegant body. Notes of dark berry, fresh spice flavours, with an intense and smooth finish.
Very versatile wine, can be paired with dark sauce pasta dishes, BBQ, aged cheeses and red meats.
Ageing potential 15 years
James Suckling 93 points
Vinous 90 points
Chianti Classico DOCG
90% Sangiovese
5% Malvasia Nera, 5% Colorino
Natural Cork
13.5%
5.5 g/l
Yes
Yes
