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The wines of Castello di Fonterutoli , Tuscany, Italy

Marchesi Mazzei, Castello di Fonterutoli, I-53011, Castellina in Chianti (SI), Italia
Phone: +39  577 740476 Fax +39 577 741070
E-mail: fonterutoli@fonterutoli.it Website: www.fonterutoli.it
UK agent: Enotria (tel. 020 8961 4411)

Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, this historical estate is one of the leading lights in Chianti. The estate divided into four production zones: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Badiola and Belvedere, with vineyards ranging in height from 230- 500 m. Fairly recently, the estate made the brave decision to sacrifice their two leading labels, Concerto and Ser Lapo, to focus on the flagship wine of Castello di Fonterutoli, a Chianti Classico. Not tried here was the Siepi, a super-Tuscan Sangiovese–Merlot blend. The two Chiantis are stunningly good, combining typicity with ripeness, concentration and intensity.

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 1999
100% Sangiovese from Fonterutoli and Badiola vineyards (both 450 m altitude). Red black colour. Tight herby, tarry nose with a little bit of menthol character and some spice, with a complex tea leaf and tobacco edge. Full, spicy tannic palate with plenty of fruit but lots of savoury authenticity. Serious stuff but with good potential. Very good/excellent (£11.95 Noel Young, Valvona & Crolla, The Wine Society, Jeroboams, Wimbledon Wine Cellar)

Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 1998
90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, from Siepi (250 m altitude) and Fonterutoli (450 m) vineyards. Deep coloured. Full, striking nose is savoury and exotic at the same time, displaying rich, sweet spicy fruit with lush menthol notes. The palate is concentrated, rich, spicy and savoury with firm tannic structure and good acidity. Very serious. Excellent (£24.99 Swig, La Reserve, Tesco, Noel Young, Edencroft, Jeroboams, Wimbledon Wine Cellar)

Brancaia Rosso di Tuscano, La Brancaia 1998
Exotic perfumed nose is very spicy with some pronounced toasty, roasted notes. There’s more of the savoury, spicy roasted character on the palate. Tannic and austere at the moment. Very good+ (£22.95 Swig, Jeroboams, Noel Young, Edencroft, Valvona & Crolla, Wimbledon Wine Cellar)

Morellino di Scansano, Tenuta di Belguardo 1997
A deep coloured wine with an evolved herby, sweetly fruited nose that’s a tiny bit volatile. Concentrated, accessible herby fruit on the palate with a sweet edge and a savoury tea-leaf finish. Very good+ (£8.79 Swig, Noel Young, Wimbledon Wine Cellar)

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