#3 on Hi-Time's Top Italian Wines of 2024
Fontodi is a gorgeous, organically farmed estate in Panzano's famous "Golden Shell" amphitheater. Bottling their wine since 1968, they became an icon for the modernization of Chianti Classico. They helped popularize the use of pure Sangiovese and small French oak barrels for aging in order to make their elegantly bold, polished, and precise house style. As a complement to their original single-vineyard bottling, Vigna del Sorbo, Fontodi introduced this new Terrazze San Leolino bottling, which showcases a revived, terraced vineyard above the winery.
Here, their Gran Selezione approaches the depth and richness of Brunello, but with the fresher tones and elegance of Chianti. It has an inner tension between the depth and breadth of its dark-red and purple-toned core and its generous structure: firm, earthy tannins help ground it, and a core of luminous acidity energizes it. The aging in small French oak barrels contributes to the darker tones and extra richness in texture, with an infusion of oak spice (cinnamon & incense) and mocha. Perhaps the true magic of this powerhouse wine lies in its broad, but elegantly tapered, finish that makes it a pleasure to drink. This is a fantastic wine to hold onto for years as it slowly matures. In the meantime, give it a couple hours in the decanter and serve with hearty, flavor-rich cuisine like a thick porterhouse steak or a rich, wild boar ragú.
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "Deep in color, this sumptuous red shows both power and finesse, packed with blackberry, black currant, violet, iron and spice flavors. Expressive and beautifully balanced, yet this is poised for a long evolution thanks to its solid structure. Offers superb refinement and a long aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2043. 875 cases made, 400 cases imported."
Fontodi is a gorgeous, organically farmed estate in Panzano's famous "Golden Shell" amphitheater. Bottling their wine since 1968, they became an icon for the modernization of Chianti Classico. They helped popularize the use of pure Sangiovese and small French oak barrels for aging in order to make their elegantly bold, polished, and precise house style. As a complement to their original single-vineyard bottling, Vigna del Sorbo, Fontodi introduced this new Terrazze San Leolino bottling, which showcases a revived, terraced vineyard above the winery.
Here, their Gran Selezione approaches the depth and richness of Brunello, but with the fresher tones and elegance of Chianti. It has an inner tension between the depth and breadth of its dark-red and purple-toned core and its generous structure: firm, earthy tannins help ground it, and a core of luminous acidity energizes it. The aging in small French oak barrels contributes to the darker tones and extra richness in texture, with an infusion of oak spice (cinnamon & incense) and mocha. Perhaps the true magic of this powerhouse wine lies in its broad, but elegantly tapered, finish that makes it a pleasure to drink. This is a fantastic wine to hold onto for years as it slowly matures. In the meantime, give it a couple hours in the decanter and serve with hearty, flavor-rich cuisine like a thick porterhouse steak or a rich, wild boar ragú.
WINE SPECTATOR 97 POINTS - "Deep in color, this sumptuous red shows both power and finesse, packed with blackberry, black currant, violet, iron and spice flavors. Expressive and beautifully balanced, yet this is poised for a long evolution thanks to its solid structure. Offers superb refinement and a long aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2043. 875 cases made, 400 cases imported."
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