Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2008

Producer Information

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.

Vineyards

Vineyard location: blend of 50 different parcels from the best single vineyards,
Selection: 36 clones of Sangiovese, 120 individual vinifications
Altitude: 220 – 550 metres above sea level
Soil: Alberese and Galestro (limestone)
Age of vines: 10 – 25 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training and Guyot
No. of vines per hectare: 4,500 – 7,500

Winemaking

Harvest: Hand picked starting from September 18
Fermentation temperature: 28 – 30° C
Period of maceration: 15 – 18 days
Aging: 16 months in small french oak barrels (225 lt / 60% new)
Bottling: October 2010
Refining in bottle: 18 months
Available on the market: April 2012
Production: 50,000 bottles 3

Vintage Information

The year 2008 was characterized by a winter period of low rainfall and temperatures slightly above average. Spring was due to a very difficult period with frequent rains and temperatures slightly above average from May trough mid-June. Specifically, in the first twenty days of June fell almost 150 mm of rain. The end of June marked an improvement in weather conditions with little precipitation in the month of July and peaks of 37°C reached in the last week of that month. The veraison occurred in the first week of August, which it within company compliance. The months of August and September were characterized by low rainfall (40 mm total)concentrated mainly in two storms, one in mid-August and the other in mid September. This trend fostered a perfect ripening of the grapes, avoiding arrest of maturation due to water stress in the plants. The beginning of the harvest took place on September 12 and ended on October 18. On September 9 and 10 there were substantial temperature fluctuations between day and night, critical for the accumulation of color and the synthesis of aromatic substances.
rainfall Apr.-Sept.: 312,8
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 312,8 mm (12.3 inches)
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3535,96°C

Tasting Note

Great structure, complex dried flowers bouquet, very rich and persistent

Food Pairing

Excellent with savoury dishes, game, stews, truffles, aged cheeses

Serving Suggestion

Ageing potential: Over 20 years

Press

Wine Spectator – 91 pts
James Suckling – 92 pts
Robert Parker – 91 pts
Vinous – 91 pts
Wine Enthusiast – 92 pts

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
85% Sangiovese,
15% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot


Natural Cork
13.7%
6.15 g/l
Yes
Yes

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