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. Over 6 centuries ago Ser Lapo Mazzei was the first, in 1398, to compile a legal record , where “Chianti wine” was formally mentioned as a denomination. 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 location: Altitude: 250 – 330 m.a.s.l.
Soil: Clay/loam with medium texture and average presence of calcareous rocks/sandstones
Vineyard age: 15 – 30 years
Training system: Spur cordon-training
Vine Density: 4.500 – 7.500 plants
Fermentation temperature: 26 – 28 °C
Maceration: 15 – 18 days
Ageing: 12 months in small french oak barrels (225/500 lt – 50% new)
Bottling: September 2019
Formats: 750 ml – 1,5 lt
The 2017 harvest was unparalleled thanks to climatic events which followed one another in an unusual and extraordinary way.
After a frost on 20 April, in spring and summer there was little rainfall and summer temperatures reached high peaks, thus leading to water stress, with a reduced swelling of the grapes and a clear drop in the weight of the bunches in general.
The harvest began well in advance on the earliest vines. As regards Sangiovese, we courageously decided to wait for the September rains, when about 130 mm rain fell in 20 days together with a considerable lowering of the temperature (with minimum values dropping to 5 ° C), which gave a twist to the remaining grapes on the grapevines.
Therefore, the grapes had a heterogeneous quality, with peaks of excellence, a global level well beyond the expectations. 2017 is one of the classic vintages where the achievement of important results requires much experience and a careful management of each vineyard through the adoption of a customised approach to each parcel.
Beginning of the harvest: 21 August
End of the harvest: 28 September
Evaluation: Good
Fresh, tannic, with aroma of berries, strong structure, earthy and intense taste
Pasta with game sauce, stews, grilled red meats, mid-aged cheeses
Ageing potential: Over 10 years
Chianti Classico
90% Sangiovese
10% Merlot
Natural Cork
13.50%
5.77 g/l
Yes
Yes
