Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli Mazzei 2019

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli Mazzei, Tuscany, Italy, 2019

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).

A remarkable combination of concentration and elegance, this wine displays ripe red berry fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, mocha, morello cherry and a touch of liquorice alongside a muscular structure, fine tannins, balanced with pleasant acidity and a very long finish. This wine has the potential to develop over a 20 year period.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Smooth and decidedly linear and juicy in the primary matrix showing notes of cherries, cassis, lemon blossom, lime peel and white almonds. Medium bodied, extremely elegant fine grain tannins, admirably polymerized and a finale of incredible drinkability and juiciness. Splendid now but better from 2023."

97/100 points, Raffaele Vecchione - WinesCritic.com, August 2022

"Bright, radiant ruby red. Slightly restrained on the nose, gentle hints of orange zest and raspberry. Juicy on the palate with a red berry fruit core, elegant and gluggable, currently still very young, delicate drive with lots of finesse on the finish, salty."

95/100 points, FALSTAFF (Austria), October 2022

"The beautiful 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli comes from a special growing site with alberese limestone soils broken up by lots of rocks. The wine is especially balanced and bright in this vintage with lots of cherry fruit definition, crushed stone, dusty mineral and blue flower. The tannins are sweet and rich, adding to an elegant medium-bodied mouthfeel. High-elevation vineyard positions guarantee freshness in this wine."

94+/100 points, Monica Larner, WINE ADVOCATE, February 2023

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