Felsina Winery
"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."
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2016
$25.95 $30.40
16e
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
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2016
$48.95 $67.36
45cItaly » 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
Felsina Chardonnay 'I Sistri' 2017
$24.95 $31.19
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2017
$20.95 $27.73
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
Felsina 'Vin Santo' 2007 375ml
$38.95 $51.20
18cItaly » Chianti Classico
Vinous Media 95 "Fèlsina's 2007 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is terrific. Silky, expressive and gracious, the 2007 is all class. Orange zest, mint, cinnamon and
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2013
$48.95 $64.00
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
Felsina 'Fontalloro' Sangiovese 2016
Wine Advocate 98+ "The 2016 Fontalloro is the best vintage of this landmark wine that I have tasted thus far. This is a very elegant vintage,
Felsina Chianti Classico 2016
16eItaly » Chianti Classico
James Suckling 93 "This is fragrant and floral with dark berries on the nose. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2015
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 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
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
James Suckling 94 "What a delicious nose that’s ripe, but also really well defined with dried red plums, hazelnuts, Indian spices, baking spices, cedar, tar and
Felsina Chianti Classico 2014
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2013 375ml
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2013
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
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2013
Vinous Media 93 "A deep, powerful wine, the 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva has quite a bit of depth for a cool, late-ripening vintage. Sage, tobacco, menthol,
Felsina 'Fontalloro' Sangiovese 2013
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
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2012
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2012
James Suckling 93 "There are mushrooms on the nose of this Chianti Classico, but these soon give way to subtle, deep aromas of blackberry crumble with
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2011
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2011
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2011 Chianti Classico is absolutely impressive and is one of the best base Chianti Classicos I have tasted from 2011. You feel
Felsina Chianti Classico 'Rancia' Riserva 2011 375ml
Vinous Media 94+ "A wine of incredible density, the 2011 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is virtually impenetrable, but dazzling just the same. Rose petal, mint, sage,
Felsina 'Fontalloro' Sangiovese 2010
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
Felsina Chianti Classico 2010
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
Felsina 'Maestro Raro' Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Antonio Galloni 93+ "Lavender, smoke, wild herbs, cassis, scorched earth and black fruit burst from the glass in the 2010 Maestro Raro. In 2010, the Cabernet
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2010
Wine Advocate 93+ "The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is host to a beautiful mix of black mineral, fruit, dried mint and eucalyptus. The wine shows elegant