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Wines by Tenuta
Fontodi |
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Fontodi
Tenuta Fontodi is Chianti's class act:
Her renowned crus are the Super Tuscan Flaccianello and
the Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon favorite Vigna del Sorbo,
while her Chianti Classico is unflinchingly reliable. Winemaking
in the timeless land of Chianti Classico dates back to
the 8th century, and the term “Chianti” was
applied to wine as far back as 1398: Tenuta Fontodi is
one of many existing estates that can trace their lineage
back to these historic times. Fontodi is an all-time favorite
of IWM and any Tuscan wine enthusiast.
In the 17 published editions of Gambero Rosso, Italy’s
acclaimed wine rating guide, this Tuscan estate has won
the coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award 13 times.
And like the other greats of Chianti Classico (Felsina,
Querciabella, Castell'in
Villa...), they did it by revealing the true essence
of the Sangiovese grape and the local terroir. They maintain
tradition even when updating equipment; in fact, the new
cantina works entirely on the gravity principle (no pumps)
though it is fitted with the latest vinification technology.
Resting near Panzano in the epicenter of Toscana's viticulture,
Fontodi's vines enjoy a southern aspect, a position in
a natural amphitheatre, and marl soil. These optimum conditions
allow the grapes to ripen perfectly, therefore creating
wines of great character and structure. The natural potential
of the grapes combined with the leadership of Marco and
Giovanni Manetti (cousins who are sons of the 1968 visionaries)
makes for perfection in winemaking. The estate dates back
to the 16th century, but her modern era started in 1968
when the Manettis, a Florentine family famous for more
than three centuries for their terracotta production, purchased
the estate.
One of the first 100% Sangiovese Super Tuscans, Fontodi's
Flaccianello is a cru of grapes from the vineyard of the
same name, the "Flaccianello della Pieve." This big red
wine, which was born in 1981, combines all the old-world
characteristics of Sangiovese with modern vinification
techniques. While the Flaccianello went on to achieve her "super" status,
the cru Vigna del Sorbo became one of the first Sangiovese-Cabernet
Sauvignon blends: the latter is actually classified as
a DOCG wine, though, and the former an IGT. The grapes
are primarily Sangiovese (with a small percentage of Cabernet
Sauvignon) and come from the Vigna del Sorbo vineyard.
In the nineties, driven to improve quality even further,
Manetti phased out his Chianti Classico Riserva label to
focus on his Chianti Classico, a wine aged in botti (large
barrels) that serves as a fine benchmark for a traditional
wine.
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You may also enjoy reading about these additional producers:
Antinori,
Ca' Marcanda (Gaja),
Castell'in Villa,
Castello dei Rampolla,
Cesani,
Cima,
Col d'Orcia,
Fiano,
Felsina,
Fontodi,
Fossi,
Grattamacco,
Le Macchiole,
Montevertine,
Ornellaia,
Podere Forte,
Podere Poggio Scalette,
Querciabella,
Sassicaia,
Tua Rita,
Vignavecchia
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