"Fattoria di Fèlsina has long been one of the great names in Tuscany. Based in the Chianti Classico region, Fèlsina produces one of the finest ranges of ageworthy and complex Chianti bottlings in all of Italy. Unlike many of their neighbors, Fèlsina has never succumbed to the temptation to produce "new age" wines from their fine Chianti vineyards, and continues to grow solely Sangiovese here, rather than dabble with international-styled blends that include Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Consequently, their elegant yet intensely flavored Chiantis place them firmly among the top handful of Chianti producers, with the best vintages of their top Riserva Chiantis often approaching Brunello di Montalcino in terms of complexity and potential for longevity. In addition to their distinct bottlings of Chianti Classico, Fèlsina also produces one of Italy's top Vino di Tavola's (or IGTs), called Fontalloro. Fontalloro is also 100% Sangiovese, with the wine sources from old vines in three top vineyards that straddle the border between two of Chianti's top regions: "Classico" and "Colli Senesi". It is produced from vines that are in excess of fifty years of age, and aged in small French oak barrels for fifteen to eighteen months prior to bottling.
Amongst the "innovations" practiced for the Chianti bottlings at Fattoria di Fèlsina these days is a profound respect for the Tuscan traditions of yesterday, and which are sadly in such short supply at so many neighboring estates. At Fèlsina it is widely recognized that the fame of Tuscan wines is based historically on the compelling character of wines produced primarily from Sangiovese, and the estate continues to champion this great varietal using only old "massale" selections cultivated from cuttings from their top old vineyards. The vineyards are farmed organically and the average age of the Sangiovese vines at Fèlsina is remarkably old, with the "normale" bottling of the Chianti Classico hailing from vineyards that average fully thirty years of age. The two distinct Riserva Chianti bottlings are made from vines in excess of fifty years of age. These old vine Chiantis are routinely amongst the most cellar-worthy wines made in the region, and have no difficulty aging and improving in the bottle over ten to fifteen years in any top vintage. Fèlsina also owns a companion estate, Castello di Farnetella, in neighboring Colli Senesi, from whose vineyards a more immediately accessible and earlier drinking style of Chianti is produced.
The style of the Fèlsina wines is deep and black fruity, with classic Tuscan spices married to fine expressions of soil, smoky tones and a deft touch of new oak. They will often have a bit of tannin in their youths, though always well-integrated into the body of the wine. As Sangiovese is much more adept at picking up the underlying soil nuances of the vineyard than either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, the various Fèlsina Chianti bottlings and their Fontalloro are amongst the most classic expressions of Tuscan wine to be found in the market today. Delicious upon release, the wines of Fèlsina reach their apogees with several years of bottle age and are as fine examples as one can hope to find of great, classic Tuscan reds."
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Italy » Chianti Classico
Wine Advocate 94 "Streamlined and elegant, this mid-weight red trots out notes of grilled herb and dark fruit nuances that segue to spice, tilled earth and
16eItaly » Chianti Classico
James Suckling 95 "A very fresh 2017 with plenty of tight and linear tannins that give the wine energy and drive. Medium to full body. Racy
45cItaly » Toscana IGT
Wine Advocate 96 "Gorgeous and soft, the 2013 Fontalloro is another landmark wine from this classic vintage. There is enormous intensity here and the wine is
10dItaly » Toscana IGT
James Suckling 93 "Always a beautiful white and this shows lemon curd, vanilla, fresh apricots, peach pit, vanilla and a touch of butterscotch. I love the
45cItaly » Chianti Classico
Vinous Media 96+ "Fèlsina's 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia bristles with energy, with veins of underlying acidity that give the wine its focus and drive. Dark
18CItaly » Chianti Classico
Wine Advocate 94 "The 2006 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico represens a blend of Trebbiano and Malvasia del Chianti that is aged in small oak barrels
WH ONLYItaly » Chianti Classico
Vinous Media 96+ "The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is powerful, rich and explosive, with tremendous drive. Even so, several bottles have been quite closed. That
Vinous Media 97+ "If Tuscany had a formal vineyard classification Rancia would be a Grand Cru. And that is exactly what comes through in the 2015
James Suckling 94 “Very focused and firm with chewy tannins and bright black cherry character. Medium body, dense center palate and a fresh finish. Solid. Fantastic
Wine Advocate 94 "The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges from the glass with freshly cut roses, sweet red berries, licorice, spices and tar. This is
Wine Spectator 92 WS TOP 100 2016 Rank 40 "Rich and sumptuous, boasting pure flavors of cherry and raspberry, matched to a juicy texture. There are plenty
Wine Advocate 94+ "The 2010 Fontalloro is 100% Sangiovese sourced from various vineyards. It starts off with a sassy, playful personality thanks to ripe cherry and
James Suckling 95 "There's a lot of grip to this red, with earth, cherry and tobacco flavors. Leans toward the tannins in the balance but remains
Wine Spectator 95 "Black currant, cherry, cedar, olive and coffee aromas and flavors are intense, yet match the refined structure in this classy red. The tannins
Vinous Media 93 "Dark red cherries, plums, grilled herbs, tobacco, smoke and anise meld together in the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva. Silky layers provide the backdrop
Vinous Media 90+ "The 2014 Chianti Classico Berardenga is fabulous. Fresh, aromatic and salivating with acidity, the 2014 is a super-old school Chianti Classico from start
Antonio Galloni 97 "The 2004 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is fabulous. A reference point wine for the region, the 2004 captures the heart and intellect
Robert Parker 94 "The 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia bursts onto the palate in a big, brooding expression of Sangiovese from Castelnuovo Berardenga. Muscular and dense
Wine Spectator 95 TOP 100 2009 "Chocolate, blackberry and black cherry aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a deep concentration of fruit.
International Wine Cellar 96 "Good full red with a palish rim. Pure, superripe aromas of red cherry, violet, iodine and nutmeg. Superrich, highly concentrated and seamless,
Wine Advocate 91+ "The 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva possesses wonderful depth in its black cherries, licorice, tar, smoke and leather. This is a relatively muscular vintage
Wine Spectator 92 WS TOP 100 2016 Rank 40 "Rich and sumptuous, boasting pure flavors of cherry and raspberry, matched to a juicy texture. There are plenty
Wine Advocate 87 "The 2008 Chianti Classico shows good up-front juiciness in its fruit but then loses steam pretty quickly on the mid-palate. The 2008 is
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2010 Chianti Classico is beautiful, pointed and articulate. Sweet red berries, anise, flowers, spices and licorice are some of the many notes
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs.