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.
The quintessence of our research on Sangiovese at Castello di Fonterutoli resides in an experimental vineyard, planted in ideal pedoclimatic conditions for Sangiovese: 36 different biotypes of Sangiovese, including 18 massal selections coming from our old vineyards. A cutting edge agronomical project creates a pure-bred Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.
Vineyards location: Castelnuovo Berardenga, “Vicoregio” 330-350 m (1,080-1,150 ft) a.s.l.; S/E, S, S/W exp.
Soil: “Alberese” Limestone and clay, very rich in texture
Vineyards age: 17 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training and Guyot
Nr. of vines per hectare: 5,800 – 6,660 plants
Harvest: Hand picked starting from September 28th
Harvest: Hand picked October the 12th
Vinification: In french oak barrels (500 lt)
Fermentation temperature: 26 – 28° C
Period of maceration: 24 days
Malolactic and refining: 18 months in French oak barrels (500 lt, 50% new)
Finissage: 4 months in concrete tanks
The 2019 harvest recalled the great vintages of the 1980s. This was a ‘classic’ year, with nature and nurture coming together to create something truly exceptional. Winter temperatures were below average and rainfall was low, with unusually warm weather at the end of February. However, stormy squalls through spring and late into summer replenished the water table and made up for the lack of winter rainfall. They also slowed down plant development in the early stages.
The summer was consistently hot, but without extreme temperatures or excessive rainfall. September continued fine, with a significant range in diurnal temperatures.
No pathogens compromised the excellent health of the grapes. Bud fruitfulness was within the norm and the good condition of the foliage showed just how well balanced the plants were in this extremely fine year.
By harvest time the grapes were perfect, thanks to the prevailing climatic conditions and the leaf removal which was carried out in early September. Both these factors contributed to optimal ripening of all grapes across our various production zones.
Beginning of the harvest: September 4th
End of the harvest: October 17th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 590 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3580 °C
Evaluation: Outstanding
Intensity, colour deepness, strong and bright bouquet.
Spiced roast meats, stewed game, aged cheeses, mushrooms and truffles.
Ageing potential: Over 20 years
James Suckling 96 Pts
Winescritic.com 96 Pts
Falstaff 94 Pts
Decanter 92 Pts
Vinous 90 Pts
Decanter World Wine Awards 90 Pts
Jancis Robinson 17+ Pts
Decanter World Wine Awards Silver Medal
Wine Advocate 95 Pts
Wine Spectator 95 Pts
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
100% Sangiovese from 36 biotypes
Natural Cork
13.50%
6.00 g/l
Yes
Yes
