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B-21 Top Recommendation Read More
“A reference point for pure Sangiovese wines”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Renowned for crafting wines of “distinction and elegance” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the rich and sumptuous 94 pt. 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva offers vibrant, aromatic fruit hinting of minerality and savory spice with lively acidity and smooth, supple tannins, a beautifully crafted 100% Sangiovese rivaling the complexity and longevity of many top-rated Brunellos delivering superb value at a fraction of the price.
Perched high in the rolling hills northwest of Siena, Fattoria di Felsina is located in the enchanting verdant countryside of Castelnuovo Berardenga on the southernmost border of Chianti Classico, situated among medieval stone buildings on a hilltop piazza boasting expansive views stretching as far as Monte Amiata. Rising to the top of the appellation under Giuseppe Mazzocolin for over four decades and now run by his son Giovanni Poggiali, the massive 500-hectare Felsina estate boasts 95 hectares of biodynamically farmed vineyards on the border of Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi at altitudes ranging from 320 to 420 meters above sea level planted mainly to Sangiovese, the higher parcels consisting of rocky quartz and calcareous alberese soils while the lower altitude vines closer to Colli Senesi are planted in sandy loam mixed with silt and marine deposits. Crafted only in top vintages, the best quality clusters from across the vineyards were selected for the 2020 Riserva, the diverse terrain and extended aging contributing to its layered complexity and depth. Crafted under the direction of legendary consulting enologist Franco Bernabei, the plush 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva was aged in a mix of medium sized Slavonian oak and smaller used French oak barrels for 12 to 16 months with the final blend then aged in bottle for another 3 to 6 months before release, revealing “a solidly built red” that “cruises to the long finish” according to the Wine Spectator’s Bruce Sanderson, ranking #22 on the Spectator’s Top 100 of 2023 and promising to age well over the next few decades.
Boasting an “extraordinary ability to convey the essence of variety, place and vintage” according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous, the elegant 94 pt. 2020 Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva reflects the estate’s rich legacy as standard bearers in Chianti Classico, delivering an unbeatable value in cellar worthy Tuscan reds and affordably priced for Sangiovese lovers and collectors to savor its thrilling evolution. |
94WS #22 Top 100
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A solidly built red introduced by aromas of mint, lavender and wild rosemary. Shows cherry, raspberry, earth, iron, sanguine and tobacco flavors allied to an almost viscous texture as this cruises to the long finish. Impressive now, yet will be better in three to five years. Best from 2026 through 2045. 5,000 cases made, 2,200 cases imported.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Oct 2023)
#22 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023
A juicy and pretty wine with berries, chocolate, and bark. Subtle. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are slightly chewy and austere now but will soften nicely with age. Better after 2025.
94 points, James Suckling (Aug 2023)
In a bottle with a black label, the Fèlsina 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga shows an open-knit quality with soft fruit flavors of dark cherry and baked plum. Those fruit flavors are followed by pretty mineral notes and light spice. That openness and those sweet cherry flavors are characteristic of the warm 2020 growing season. The wine finishes with bright acidity that is typical of Sangiovese.
93 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (May 2023)
The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva is another super-classic wine in this range from Fèlsina. Dried herbs, game, scorched earth, tobacco, incense and dark fruit infuse the Riserva with tons of nuance. The Riserva conveys tons of village character as well as the house style.
93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2023)