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.
Vineyard altitude: 50 – 310 metres above sea level. South south-west exposure
Vineyard age: 10 – 20 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training
No. of vines per hectare: 6,600 – 7,200
Hand picked from September 21st (Fonterutoli), October 3rd (Belguardo)
Fermentation temperature: 25 – 27 °C
Period of maceration: 13 days for Fonterutoli parcels / 15 days for Belguardo parcels
Ageing: 18 months in French and American oak barrels (225 lt / 30% new)
Bottling: November 2021
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
Dedicated to Philip Mazzei (1730-1816), an illustrious ancestor of the family, a passionate grape grower, political thinker, and “worldly citizen”. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from each of the Mazzei’s estates, Philip is the quintessence of Tuscany. It embodies the “New World” spirit of Tuscan winemaking, the “revolutionary” character of Philip Mazzei, and expresses the family’s desire to pursue happiness. A wine of great structure and elegance, with a great concentration of fruit and freshness at the same time.
Game stews, aged and blue cheese, rich dishes with some spice.
Wine Advocate 94 points
James Suckling 94 points
Vinous 92 points
IGT Toscana
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Natural Cork
13.5%
5.60 g/l
Yes
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