Sangiovese

La Quinta is the fresher, lighter but no less elegant version of Carlo Ferrini's interpretation of Sangiovese. The purist beauty of small red fruits, including raspberry and summer cherry, combined with floral undertones, pepper and a hint of Mediterranean scrub combine to create a cool, aristocratic Rosso that expresses the signature of the Oenologistoenologist like no other! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby colour with a dark core. Fragrant, appealing nose, shows notes of cherries, pomegranate and orange peel, animating. With a juicy drinking flow on the palate, opens with supple tannins, medium weight, fine cherry notes in the finish." Falstaff

"Vibrant red fruits of strawberries, red cherries and violets, followed by a blend of spices and fresh herbs. Medium-bodied, with fine and refined tannins and a pleasant acidity. An elegant and artful wine with beautiful purity and complexity. Already fascinating, but will continue to develop as it matures." James Suckling

"This wine is a bit of a provocation, because although it could technically qualify as a Rosso di Montalcino, it aims much higher and therefore wears its IGT Toscana designation very proudly. The Giodo 2022 La Quinta is made exclusively from Sangiovese from eight-year-old vines planted in front of Carlo Ferrini's stone-clad vineyard. Ferrini tells me that he took his inspiration for this bottle from Chianti Classico rather than Montalcino. The wine shows great volume and lots of bright primary fruit with cherry, fresh cranberry, incense and spice. This area has withstood the summer heat of 2022 because it is located on the eastern side of the appellation and is surrounded by cooling forests. This wine contains lots of beautiful fruit and the freshness of Sangiovese together with elegant, powdery tannins." Wine Advocate

Brilliant dark ruby colour, intense and inviting nose with a pronounced aroma of dark fruit, especially blackberry, followed by some liquorice. Firm and gripping on the palate with taut tannins, the Cavaliere shows its animating (Sangiovese) character over the course of the wine and maintains good pressure until the long final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, luminous ruby-garnet colour. On the nose, preserved cherries and plums, sealing wax, a hint of iodine and undergrowth as well as fine spice. Silky on the palate entry, flows harmoniously and balanced with precise fruit and gentle pressure to the lingering, fruity-sweet final." Falstaff

"The 2021 Cavaliere is a very pretty wine that shows tons of Sangiovese character in a lighter, more perfumed style than in the past. Crushed red berry fruit, spice, mint, orange peel and a touch of whole-cluster savoriness from the 30% stems all meld together. Aging in cement further enhances freshness and vitality. Sangiovese is not especially suited to Bolgheri, but it works quite well here." Vinous

"This is a very cool Tuscan red wine with flavours of candied orange, watermelon and strawberry as well as fresh flowers and rose stems. Medium-bodied, firm and lively. Crisp and crunchy. So bright and delicious." James Suckling

Historically, the vineyards of Castello di Fonterutoli are located in the areas of three neighbouring municipalities of Chianti Classico: Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Radda in Chianti. With the 2017 vintage, the Mazzei family vinified all three large vineyards separately as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione for the first time in order to recognise the diversity of the terroir: Castello di Fonterutoli, Vicoregio 36 and Badiola.

Castello di Fonterutoli comes from 11 different plots at an altitude of 420-510 metres around the hamlet of Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti. It is both the "Château" and the oldest cru of the estate and was first produced in 1995 as the predecessor to today's Gran Selezione. Rich colour and a clear aroma of blackberries, cherries, violets and flowers, with a hint of nougat. This full-bodied Castello Fonterutoli impresses with its beguiling extract sweetness and polished tannins. The intense and concentrated flavour enchants the senses. The long final is full of elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Velvety and seductive in its style, finely woven and with polished tannins, accompanied by sweet fruit and a warm and full-bodied mouthfeel." Weinwisser

"Inviting red and black cherries, wild strawberries and woody notes; intense, balsamic and juicy freshness with grainy tannins." Decanter

"The 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli is a powerful, earthy wine. Black cherry, grilled herbs, menthol, liquorice, tobacco and dried herbs form the backbone of this powerful, earthy wine. With time in the glass, this wine opens up beautifully. Pretty floral accents and white pepper lift the finish." Vinous

"Lush and velvety, with aromas and flavours of cherry, plum, earth and iron as well as a hint of oak spice. A lively, firmly structured red wine with fine tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Wonderful bouquet of black cherries, herbs and violets, also pepper; extremely elegant in the mouth with a fine finish and tightly woven tannins, ends long on raspberry and violet notes, undergrowth and liquorice." Vinum

"The Mazzei 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli offers a rich texture, lots of dark fruit and an oak-accentuated overall approach. It finishes gently with cinnamon, baking spice and a sweet note of white chocolate." Wine Advocate

"Attractive aromas of red plums, dried cranberries, flavoured citrus peel, red spices and bark. Medium to full-bodied, broad and structured with ripe and well-integrated tannins and juicy fruit. Exciting. Shows notes of rose petals with crushed rock minerality. Long-lasting and lively finish." James Suckling

"Another great Gran Selezione project for Castello di Fonterutoli. Visciola, a hint of nettle and undergrowth, a nice iodine note on the finish, dense and compact mouthfeel, salty tannins, finish with a fruity and oily aftertaste. Persistent." Luca Gardini

The top-quality Vigneto Erchi Riserva comes from the small vineyard of the same name, which has belonged to Fattoria Selvapiana since 1998. The owners spent a long time looking for a vineyard whose terroir impressively demonstrates the complexity of Sangiovese in the Rufina region, making this wine a high-calibre addition to the famous Selvapiana collection.

Compared to Bucerchiale, Vigneto Erchi is somewhat more red-fruity and combines its power with wonderful finesse. The well-tempered bouquet has precise and well-defined aromas of wild cherry and redcurrant, as well as hints of blue flowers and earthy notes. Initially restrained on the palate, it gains volume and race with further aeration. Maturation in French oak provides a structure and depth that will give it a long life. Everything is just right here, the house's new top Sangiovese has found its place. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigneto Erchi 2019 shows great balance and the quality found in these pleasant wines from Selvapiana. The bouquet is reminiscent of dark cherry, iris, earth and blood orange. The wine is firm and quite concentrated in mouthfeel, but it still feels bright and lively." Wine Advocate

"Focused and intense, this red reveals cherry, strawberry, orange peel, earth, iron and eucalyptus flavors. This firm, lean version persists with salty, savory notes on the sinewy finish." Wine Spectator

"A complex, outstanding Chianti Rufina with savoury grapefruit peel, tar, white pepper, dry earth, new leather and hints of minerals and fine musk. Quite full-bodied and mineral on the palate with vertical, tight-knit tannins that extend to a long, savoury finish." James Suckling

Traditionally vinified, its intense ruby red colour, the fruity aroma with spicy and balsamic notes and its gentle start on the palate, which builds furiously, are impressive. The high-class tannin structure rests between the soft components, so that this Brunello from the dream year 2019 simultaneously demonstrates elegance and strength without appearing too modern. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fragrant, very precisely framed bouquet with red berries, mineral notes and violets, hibiscus, with fine mineral hints behind it. Quite lean and powerful in the mouth, very fine style, coherent in itself." Weinwisser

"Clear, slightly warm, somewhat nutty and hinted at tobacco-like aroma of ripe red and black berries with bloody and cedary traces. Ripe, firm, juicy, still undeveloped fruit, relatively present, crumbly-sandy, ripe tannins, slightly smoky and nutty oak notes, persistent on the palate, some bite, certain depth, cooling mineral elements, dark spice, very good, firm, tart-juicy and spicy finish." Wein-Plus

"Bright ruby red with brightening edges. Opens with notes of fresh cherries, some rosehip and light tobacco. Fine-meshed, polished tannins in the attack and on the palate, still young overall, fine salinity on the final." Falstaff

"The 2019 is forward and rich in flavours. Sun-soaked oily herbs and grilled Mediterranean shrubs are reminiscent of late summer in Tuscany. Mint and rosemary are repeated on the full-bodied, powerful palate. The tannins are mostly ripe, but a slight astringency provides a pleasant aftertaste. More rustic than elegant, but it will certainly have its fans." Decanter

"Aromas of balsamic herbs and dark chocolate give way to dried black cherries and pine shavings as the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino draws the taster to the glass. This is a supple and racy wine with a cool acidity and dark red fruits that flow over a silky textural wave. The finish is savoury and long, but also remarkably fresh, with edgy tannins that linger as the notes of salted liquorice slowly fade. The wine's balance is stunning, but don't be fooled by the 2019's openness; this is a wine for the cellar." Vinous

"A firm and silky Brunello with berry, cherry, cedar and meat flavours. It's medium-bodied and fairly dense, but shows some polish. Better after 2026." James Suckling

"The Fanti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino offers dark fruit and an articulate bouquet with elements of ripeness and balsamic herbs, unfolding its aromas in hints of liquorice, dark plums, smoked tobacco and sweet floral earth. On the palate, Brunello di Montalcino reveals much of its intensity with an abundance of ripe fruit that gently fades in the mid-palate. The tannins are gently integrated." Wine Advocate

"This silky red wine, which evokes flavours of cherries, strawberries and hibiscus, is harmonious and elegant. Mineral and wild herbal elements add details that carry through to the long, energising aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Red mulberries on the nose, hints of star anise, wild rosemary and chinotto. Salty tannins on the palate, hints of small fruits and spicy notes." Luca Gardini

Since summer 2023, Chianti Classico producers have been allowed to include the eleven additional geographical indications (UGA = unità geografiche aggiuntive) introduced in 2021 on the labels of the top Gran Selezione category. For Chianti Classico winegrowers, it is a logical step to produce wines that reflect the area in which they were produced as authentically as possible. And customers can thus deepen their knowledge of the relationship between the wines and their region of origin - a real added value.

Historically, the vineyards of Castello di Fonterutoli are located in the areas of three neighbouring municipalities of Chianti Classico: Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga and Radda in Chianti. With the 2017 vintage, the Mazzei family vinified all three large vineyards separately as Chianti Classico Gran Selezione for the first time in order to recognise the diversity of the terroir: Castello di Fonterutoli, Vicoregio 36 and Badiola.

Castello di Fonterutoli comes from 11 different plots at an altitude of 420-510 metres around the hamlet of Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti. It is both the "Château" and the oldest cru of the estate and was first produced in 1995 as the predecessor to today's Gran Selezione. Rich colour and a clear aroma of blackberries, cherries, violets and flowers, with a hint of nougat. This full-bodied Castello Fonterutoli impresses with its beguiling extract sweetness and polished tannins. The intense and concentrated flavour enchants the senses. The long final is full of elegance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Still somewhat restrained berry aromas, notes of tobacco and spices; full-bodied on the palate with a perfectly balanced acid-tannin structure and plenty of character, which manifests itself in the finish in notes of blackcurrants and undergrowth." Vinum

"Intense, sparkling ruby colour with purple reflections. Multi-layered bouquet with notes of juicy cherry, pepper, coffee and ebony, exciting. Very juicy and with lush fruit on the palate, with well-integrated tannins and invigorating acidity through to the long finish." Falstaff

"Youthful, concentrated ruby red colour. Balsamic nose with a minty edge and a hint of leather. Juicy, almost racy cherry fruit on the palate, followed by a lot of grainy tannins. This wine definitely needs and deserves more time." Jancis Robinson

"Really beautiful aromas of violets, berries, sandalwood and cherries. It's medium-bodied with round and polished tannins that run the length of the wine, showing lovely finesse and concentration. Juicy on the finish. It needs two or three years to open up and show what it is made of." James Suckling

"The Mazzei 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castellina Castello Fonterutoli is made from vines closest to the winery's headquarters in Castellina. It stands somewhere between the broad, warm appeal of Castelnuovo Berardenga and the more acidic wines from Radda. This happy medium is characterised by a medium-weight texture and very bright cherry flavours that are particularly easy to detect. A hint of crushed stone frames the generous fruit in this version." Wine Advocate

Dievoles Gran Selezione Vigna Sessina is dark, deep and with wonderfully powerful cherry and blackberry flavours. Very defined and precise on the palate with an archetypal interpretation of the grape variety. Everything is in the right place here, the balance and clarity impresses with every sip. The finish has terrificlength and depth. This is Sangiovese in its purest form with infinite energy and expression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Seems a little cheesy with its "sugary" fruit and sweetness, but can please with the juicy vein and the robust tannin as well as the fine acidity and lets the wood resonate skilfully in the background." Weinwisser

"From a vineyard 420 metres above sea level: profound bouquet of red berries, lilacs and herbs; juicy on the palate, beautifully polished, supple tannins and crisp acidity, fruity and spicy finish. Successful." Vinum

"Medium ruby red with first orange-coloured reflections. A little dusty, probably from the oak, with shy, fragrant raspberry fruit underneath. With aeration, the nose becomes finer and more concentrated, with a hint of iron. The palate is elegant and delicate, with plenty of freshness." Jancis Robinson

"The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Sessina 2019 comes from a one-hectare parcel with a mixture of clay and rock. Cured meat, lavender, spices, dried herbs and sweet tobacco lend the distinctive bouquet a beguiling complexity. The 2019 has a medium body, remarkable structural depth and the necessary structure to age." Vinous

"Sessina is a 5.5-hectare, south-facing vineyard on Macigno (sandstone soil), but with a limestone vein running through it. It shines in the fresh 2019 vintage - it is the best bottling of this wine that I have tasted. It has a lively aroma of mint, sage and a hint of chocolate. The dark plum core is ripe yet crisp, with tannins that are gently textured and grip in all the right places. Refined and elegant, but not without depth, it offers a tantalising interplay of warm Mediterranean balsamic notes with cooler forest tones. Delicious." Decanter

"Polished and pretty nose of dried flowers, cloves, mocha, dried cherries and chocolate orange. It is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Beautiful freshness and balance, with a long and elegant finish." James Suckling

"The organic Dievole 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna di Sessina is a true beauty, offering elegance and power in two ways in this vintage. There are plenty of black fruit flavours that delicately fade into crushed stone, spices and grilled herbs. The winery opts for fermentation in cement and rapid ageing in oak for about a year. These steps ensure intact primary aromas and the wine is characterised by energy and lively flavours." Wine Advocate

"With aromas and flavours of strawberries, cherries, roses and minerals, this pretty red wine is firmly structured and closes tightly on the finish. Nevertheless, it is very fruity and has a very long aftertaste." Wine Spectator

The profound Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, made from 100 per cent Sangiovese from the small Campo ai Peri vineyard, exudes a pleasantly warm aroma of red berries, flowers, spices and liquorice. Intense fruitiness on the palate with a charming, fine texture, fresh acidity and a great balance of extract sweetness, acidity and tannin. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright cherry flavours, floral notes, very lively on the nose. Deep wine with striking minerality, compact and structured, fresh acidity, taut tannins, underpinned by juicy fruit sweetness, has tension and a stony character, still a little restrained." Weinwisser

"Sparkling ruby colour with a slightly brightening rim. Opens with notes of blackberries and ripe plums, some liquorice and pepper. Clear on the palate with full-bodied tannins, builds for a long time, somewhat metallic on the final, dries out, still needs longer ageing." Falstaff

"Intriguing blackberry and dried flower flavours, also leather notes; the attack is full-bodied with a perfectly balanced tannin-acid structure, the finish finely chiselled with stone fruit aromas, also tobacco notes. To wild duck with polenta." Vinum

"Aromas of cherry chocolate, red plums, mild spices and hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, structured and velvety with crisp and delicate fruit and polished tannins. Floral and mineral on the finish." James Suckling

"The nose reveals intensely spicy aromas of old leather, balsamic and damp earth, enlivened by a hint of cherry syrup. This fruit element explodes on the palate with a cornucopia of berries, but the earthiness lingers as an undertone before a synthesising final finish. The acidity floods a valley of fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Aluigi Campo ai Peri 2019 from Le Cinciole is an exquisite wine that is immediately seductive. More than anything, I admire its purity and delineation. Sweet pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, rose petals and dried herbs are finely chiselled in this chiselled, vibrant Gran Selezione. Le Cinciole sets the standard. What a great wine this is." Vinous

"The aromas of tarragon, jasmine and camomile slowly unfold against a background of pulverised stone. The palate is youthful and shows a sinewy substance. It blends in evenly and lands with mineral vigour. Distinct accents of bitter orange underpin the firm, chiselled tannins, and there is no lack of lively acidity." Decanter

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto di Campolungo offers an interesting potpourri of ripe fruit, including blackberry, cassis and small wild strawberries, rounded off by a warm woody spice. Modern and polished on the palate, with a beautiful fruity centre, it is multi-layered, with plenty of pressure and length and balanced tannins as it progresses. The vines grow at an altitude of around 500 metres, which gives this cru a wonderful freshness and plenty of drinkability. Should gain in elegance with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright cherry aroma with liquorice and star anise. Smooth texture, firm tannins, shows good typicity with good length." Decanter

"On the nose, the fresh sweetness of cherries and strawberries is balanced by the lightly bitter astringency of orange jam and fennel. The fruit sweetens and deepens on the palate thanks to a rich, full mocha flavor, but strict, imposing tannins and acid preserve order." Wine Enthusiast

"With flavours of black cherry, plum, chocolate and iron, this rich red wine impresses across the board. Fresh and refined, with velvety tannins that support the long-lasting aftertaste, while notes of eucalyptus and tobacco enhance the complex finish." Wine Spectator

"The organically grown Lamole di Lamole 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto di Campolungo draws its fruit from a long row of vineyards stretching from the hill of Lamole towards Greve and orientated towards the sunset. This wine is creamy and medium-bodied with blackberry jam, tarry spice and earthy orris roots." Wine Advocate

In the highly harmonious 2019 vintage, Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte walks a straight line between opulence and elegance. Full, inviting nose with notes of rosewood and ripe cherries, lots of blackberry. On the palate with a beautiful, juicy attack: wrapped in a supple texture, there is a beautifully fanned-out sequence of aromas of wild berries, sour cherries, spices, liquorice and a little balsamic herb. Finely woven tannins and a perfectly balanced, stabilising Sangiovese acidity flank the long finish to an elegant, warm finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid to deep ruby. Subdued but complex cherry nose and with the merest hint of cigar box. Juicy, tangy cherry that at the same time is concentrated and with ripe, deep, chewy tannins. Great balance and length." Jancis Robinson

"There is deep black fruit and black plum on the San Giorgio 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte. although it takes a little patience to get there. The wine is restrained or closed initially, and it's hard to draw anything out for the first 15 minutes or so after the bottle is opened. Once it gets going, you are treated to sweet cherry, redwood, almond biscotti and dried rose potpourri." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte opens with a minty freshness as flint stone and dusty rose give way to crushed cherries. Silky and pliant, this possesses an elegance not often seen, with violet and lavender tones accentuating its polished red and blue fruits. This tapers off with sweet tannins balanced by an orange hint. A structured yet mouth-watering sensation lingers on. What a beauty this is." Vinous

"Cherry and berry aromas with hints of sandalwood follow through to a medium body with integrated tannins that are fine and focused. Silky texture. Delicious finish. Very elegant with nice structure." James Suckling

"Vibrant acidity and refined tannins seep into the fabric of this round red, which is laced with cherry, raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Mineral and underbrush accents add depth as this plays out on the long, dusty finish." Wine Spectator