Fontodi Vigne del Sorbo Chianti Riserva 2008

Sangiovese, Chianti & Regions, Tuscany, Italy, 2008

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This is the ultimate in Chianti Classico Riserva. Chianti lovers MUST have this in their collection. The Manetti family has owned Fontodi since 1969 but has been in Chianti for centuries. Though they have always made wine, their primary business is still the production of Chianti’s finest terracotta at their factory in Ferrone. Giovanni Manetti has run the property since 1980, building a new cellar in 1998 and ensuring the wines are as meticulously made as the vineyards are immaculately tended. Their 80 hectares of vineyard, 90% of which are Sangiovese, are situated in the prime ’conca d’oro’ (golden shell) of Panzano, and over the past six years these have been converted to organic viticulture. Giovanni is now following biodynamic principles to obtain the best quality fruit.

Soils here are galestro, a classic Tuscan shale, which has excellent drainage and encourages the vines to put down deep roots. The grapes from which this wine is made are grown in the Vigna del Sorbo vineyard. The vines were planted in 1981, and the vineyard is situated at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, facing south/south-west.

Rain and low temperatures in May and June were followed by a hot, dry summer. These conditions were perfectly counter-balanced by rain in mid-August, bringing the vines respite and giving them new energy. Excellent temperature ranges from late August to early September helped the last ripening stage for the grapes, this year picked a little later than usual. In spite of the problems arising late in the spring, the grapes were healthy when picked and are proving somewhat less acidic than in recent years, raising hopes for elegance in the wines as well as excellent aromas.

The two varieties were fermented separately in stainless steel tanks for 18 days. During fermentation and maceration the cap was punched down twice a day. After fermentation the wine was aged in Troncais and Allier barriques, of which half was new oak, for 24 months prior to bottling. It remained in bottle for at least 6 months before release.

Dark red-ruby in colour , this wine opens with aromas of dark black fruits, blackberry and victoria plum and notes of blackcurrant tart from the Cabernet. The powerful, full-bodied structure defines the palate and is given complexity by the smoky, savoury fruit, robust tannins and fine acidity. The persistent finish is complex and long.

Wine Spectator

31st December, 2011

Bruce Sanderson, 90 points

Very polished, with sweet spices accenting the cherry and black currant notes. Turns firm and lean, with dry tannins taking over on the finish. Rich and dense.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

31st August, 2011

Antonio Galloni, 93 points

Beautiful...It shows gorgeous mid-palate depth and pliancy, with wonderful richness in its sweet dark fruit, smoke, liquorice and grilled herbs. The 10% Cabernet Sauvignon works particularly well in this vintage, as it seems to give the wine a measure of depth and delineation... Higher toned floral notes add lift on the finish...It shows fabulous balance and tons of personality.

TheWineGang.com

1st November, 2011

90 points

Blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese isn‘t new news in Tuscany. For this Fontodi wine, the two varieties were vinified separately and then aged in barriques, half new, for 2 years before bottling. This gives the wine some serious tannic bite, for sure, but it also has fresh acidity and fine, meaty richness.

Fontodi

The Manetti family has owned Fontodi since 1969, but has been in Chianti for centuries - though they have always made wine, their primary business is still the production of Chianti’s finest terracotta at their factory in Ferrone. The same attention to detail that makes them the best producers of terracotta has been brought to bear on Fontodi over the past 40 years, and has transformed a crumbling farmhouse with a few hectares of vineyard into one of Chianti Classico’s most impressive estates.

Giovanni Manetti has run the property since 1980, building a new cellar in 1998 and ensuring that the wines are as meticulously made as the vineyards and cellar are immaculately tended.

Giovanni’s 80 hectares of vineyard, 90% of which are Sangiovese, are situated in the prime ‘conca d’oro’ (golden shell) of Panzano, giving wines of supreme elegance, intensity and longevity. The south facing vineyards and their natural amphitheatre shape allows the grapes to ripen fully. Soils here are allows for excellent drainage and encourages the vines to put down deep roots. Giovanni has converted to organic viticulture in the past six years, and is now following biodynamic principles in order to obtain the best quality fruit. In the winery, his approach is similarly non-interventionist (very low toast oak, for example) in order to ensure that the quality of the fruit is preserved in the finished wine.