Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Gran Selezione "Vigna del Sorbo" DOCG 2017
(Tuscany, Italy) - [VM 96+] [JS 95] [DM 95] [WA 94] [WE 93] [WS 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:

The Estate:
Fontodi is located in the heart of Chianti Classico precisely in the valley which lies south of the town of Panzano and is called the “Conca d’Oro” (the golden shell) because of its amphitheatre shape. A genuine and characteristic “Terroir”, famous for centuries for its tradition of quality wine cultivation, thanks to a unique combination of high altitude, calcareous clayschist soil, lots of light, and a fantastic micro-climate – warm and dry with a marked difference in day and night-time temperatures

Winemaking:
All Fontodi wines are produced from grapes coming from their own vineyards, picked by hand, chosen with care and vinified in a way that exalts the character of the vines and the territory. The Fontodi Oil “Bio” is produced from its own olives which are delicately pressed the same day as the harvest in order to preserve all the freshness and the fragrance of the fruit.

Vinification:
The process of vinification and ageing in wood takes place in the modern cellar, built on descending levels to take advantage of gravity, guaranteeing the most respect possible for the natural integrity of the grape, in order to exalt the character and elegance of the wines.

Technical:

Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Vineyards: Vigna del Sorbo with south-west exposure with 30 years old vines
Density: 3.500 and 6.000 vines per hectar
Training: Guyot
Fermentation: In temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts for at least 3 weeks
Ageing: In Troncais and Allier barrels 50% new for 24 months
Average: 30.000 bottles

Ratings & Reviews

96+ Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2020)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Powerful, tight red with currant and plum character. Hints of new wood and bark. Full-bodied with dark berries and hints of dark chocolate, as well as other dark fruit. Flavorful finish. Solid. Needs time to open. Better after 2022." (May 2020)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Fontodi’s solo Gran Selezione, this sits shoulder to shoulder with the estate’s iconic SuperTuscan, Flaccianello. While the latter is a selection of grapes, Vigna del Sorbo comes from a single vineyard in the heart of Panzano; a warm, southwest-facing site on Galestro soil. Dense and concentrated, the 2017 articulates the vintage without slipping into over ripeness. The nose offers macerated black cherry, liquorice, bay leaf and smoky oak. Hefty and structured, it is firmly framed by muscular, compact tannins. A core of racy acidity carries blackcurrant, bitter chocolate and roasted coffee right through the finish." - Michaela Morris (Mar 2021)

94 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Fontodi 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is expressive, dark and thickly concentrated. I received my samples early and found that this wine was a little shy or slow to open in this early phase. If given extra time, the bouquet warms up to dark fruit, plum, rum cake and dried violet. I came back to the wine about two hours later and discovered a pretty note of crushed aspirin or carbon, with more crushed flower. The oak adds sweet spice and scorched earth, but these too will integrate with time. From a hot and dry vintage, I'd easily give this edition of Vigna del Sorbo a 15- or 20-year drinking window." - Monica Larner (Aug 2020)

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Made entirely with organically cultivated Sangiovese, this bold red has aromas of baked plum, pipe tobacco, new leather and French oak. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet weightless, delivering black cherry extract, blackberry, licorice and espresso. Close-grained, velvety tannins provide the tight framework. Drink 2022–2027." - Kerin O'Keefe (Dec 2020)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Ripe black cherry, plum and oak spice aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this intense, polished red, which picks up iron and savory, balsamic elements on the lingering finish. This is balanced in a youthful way, needing time to absorb the oak. Best from 2022 through 2037. 1,200 cases made, 640 cases imported." - BS (Oct 2020)