Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Fonterutoli Mazzei 2018

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Fonterutoli, Mazzei, Tuscany, Italy, 2018   

Grape: 100% Sangiovese (6 different clones + 8 estate massal selections) with 18 months' ageing in 500L French oak barrels (50% new), handpicked fruit from vines (25-30 years' old) grown on Alberese & limestone soils.

It's the wine that represents the essence itself of Castello di Fonterutoli estate. It was a forerunner, in 1995, of the new Gran Selezione category. It's a Cru of Sangiovese coming from 11 parcels surrounding the Fonterutoli hamlet, in the "Castellina in Chianti" municipality. The real "Château" of the estate.

Since 2017 Mazzei have produced 3 new separate Gran Selezione wines: Vicoregio 36 (Castelnuevo Berardenga), Badiola (Radda in Chianti) and Castello Fonterutoli (Castellina in Chianti).

Rich with bags of dark summer fruits on the nose, soft and velvety on the palate with just a hint of pepper and spice. 

"The Mazzei 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli shows a silky and fine consistency with bright aromas of wild cherry and cassis. This vintage is downplayed and subtle, surprisingly so, but also ethereal. That delicate bouquet is framed by light touches of smoke and spice, although the wine's intensity is carefully measured overall. These results should flesh out with more time in bottle."

93/100 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, April 2022

"Another great project for Castello di Fonterutoli, involving Gran Selezione. Sour cherry, hints of nettle and undergrowth. Charming iodized note on the finish. Dense and compact mouth with salty tannins. Fruity and officinal tones in the aftertaste. Persistent."

97+/100 points, GardiniNotes.com, April 2021

Excellent with game, roasted meats, stews, truffles and mature cheeses.