Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli - Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2010
The history of the Mazzei family is practically the history of Chianti. The first recorded document to contain a reference to Chianti wine was written by Ser Lapo Mazzei in 1398. Today, Mazzei’s properties extend for 650 hectares – 117 of which are devoted to vineyards. The latter are divided into five areas: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Badiola, Belvedere and Caggio.
The vineyards are largely planted with sangiovese, using 36 carefully selected clones best suited to each district. Fonterutoli and Badiola, the higher areas, are suitable for clones giving aromas and elegance. Siepi and Belvedere sit at a lower altitude and are planted with clones that provide more structure and intensity.
The Medieval hamlet of Fonterutoli lies a few kilometres from Castellina del Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area. Here the Mazzei family have been producing wine since 1435. Castello di Fonterutoli still preserves an idyllic and tranquil character. Today, Filippo and Francesco (whose father, Lapo, died in August 2019) are the winemakers. They are devoted to an approach that combines innovation and tradition. Producing only vegan wines, all their processes are carried out by hand.
This Gran Selezione wine is Mazzei’s Grand Cru of Chianti Classico. The grapes for this wine come from the best of Mazzei’s 50 parcels. The wine is matured for 20 months in small French oak barrels (60% new) and 4 months in concrete tanks before being released.
This wine has a perfect ruby hue of medium intensity in the glass. On the nose, the wine unfolds its focussed and intensely concentrated flavours. It starts with an exuberance of red fruit. Ripe notes of red cherry, raspberry and plums attest to an extremely succulent style. Also present are hints of black and resinated fruit with a warm and liqueur-infused cherry character coming through. An intensely spicy component releases notes of liquorice, terra rossa, anise, menthol, juniper and thyme. There’s a beautiful stalky note, with scents of tomato leaves, tobacco and black tea. Toasty and mocha coffee nuances are magnificently integrated. A really complex early-bouquet, concentrated, focussed and opulent. One word: intense.
On the palate, the high acidity soars, perfectly cutting the full body of this magnificent wine. Tannins are medium to high in level, extremely polished and velvety – even though they are rich and muscular in nature. A grand and sinewy structure. The utterly juicy and fleshy red fruit mingles with spicy notes of thyme, liquorice, anise and terra rossa. In the mid-palate, whiffs of earth, toast, clove, mocha coffee and dried red flowers. A lot of power and muscle but at the same time, great balance and a perfect integration of every aromatic layer. The flavours are intense, coalesced and precise. A really long lingering finish is just another mark of the outstanding quality of this Gran Selezione.