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 location: Castellina in Chianti, “Fonterutoli”: 420-510 m (1,380-1,670 ft) a.s.l.; S, S/W exposure
Soil: “Alberese” and limestone, extremely rich in texture
Vineyards age: 15 – 30 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training and Guyot
Nr. of vines per hectare: 5.800 – 7.500 plants
Harvest: Hand picked starting from September 23rd
ermentation temperature: 26 – 28° C °C
Period of maceration: 15 – 18 days
Ageing: 20 months in small french oak barrels (225 and 500 lt / 60% new)
Finissage: 4 months in concrete tanks
Bottling: November 2018
Available on the market: July 2019
Production: 67,000 bottles
Mild and rainy winter with temperatures above the seasonal averages; spring and early summer rainy as well. At the end of June the rain stopped and the temperatures rose, thus marking the beginning of summer on 21 June.
The summer was characterised by warm but generally not hot days, with changes in the temperatures during the day influencing the quality of the grapes. At the end of August and especially from the middle of September to the first week of October, greater changes in the temperatures between the day and the night have been observed, alongside with a long-term stability, thus creating the ideal conditions for the ripening of the bunches with the accumulation of aromatic substances and polyphenols culminating with the great quality of the 2016 vintage.
Upon the harvest, the grapes were globally healthy and the refinement in the cellars proved the high quality of the grapes picked up.
Beginning of the harvest: 10 September
End of the harvest: 11 October
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 484.4 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4,240.2°C
Evaluation: Outstanding
A remarkable combination of intensity and elegance, this wine displays ripe red berry fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha, Morello cherry and a touch of liqourice alongside a muscular structure, fine tannins, balanced with pleasant acidity and a rich, long finish.
Excellent with game, roasted meats, stews, truffles and mature cheeses.
Ageing potential: Over 20 years
“This is delicious! Finds a good gear and runs with it through to a lengthy finish. Seductive cherry, graphite, sweet spice and red forest fruit aromas flow onto a beautifully harmonious and complex palate, conveying a tender texture of dark cherry and plummy fruit that’s carried by perfectly pitched tannins. The flavours linger long in the mouth. It will make many red wine devotees swoon.” 97points, Platinum Decanter World Wine Award
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
92% Sangiovese
8% Malvasia Nera and Colorino
Natural Cork
14,44%
6.12 g/l
Yes
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