FONTERUTOLI Chianti Classico, Castello di Fonterutoli 2006 Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti (Italy) "... terrific class, this is the Chateau Margaux of Chianti" (Steven Spurrier, Decanter Magazine) Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435 the Fonterutoli estate is unique in Tuscany, and is centred around the eponymous hamlet, five kilometres south of Castellina in Chianti. The estate measures around 500 hectares in total and is divided among four key production areas: Fonterutoli (planted with Sangiovese and Merlot); Siepi (planted with Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon); Badiola (Sangiovese and Merlot) and Belvedere (Sangiovese). Grape Varieties 100% Sangiovese Food Matching Note: Exquisite with pasta and sun-dried tomatoes, olive and goat cheese, roast turkey with country ham stuffing and port wine gravy or a rack of lamb with red-currant wine sauce. Tasting Note: With an extraordinary combination of power and elegance, it interprets in a unique way the potential for Sangiovese, displaying ripe red berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, vanilla, chocolate and spicy characters alongside a muscular structure and a defiant finish. A real mouthful. Vinification Note: Grapes were sourced from the Siepi vineyard 260 metres above sea level, with a south-westerly exposure. Sangiovese was harvested from October 9 and Cabernet Sauvignon from September 30. The Sangiovese had a sugar level of 225gr/litre and the Cabernet Sauvignon 230gr./litre. Fermentation temperature was regulated to 33ºC. Maceration lasted 18 days for the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon with temperature control. The wines were then racked into 225lt. barriques, partly new, for 16 months, the wine then has a further 6 months in bottle before release. This is Fonterutoli's flagship wine and it is the most representative of the estate's production. With its extraordinary combination of power and elegance, it interprets in the best way the property's capacity to produce red wines with outstanding personalities and big bodies. This wine, with deep roots in the territory, represents a point of reference for the whole of Chianti Classico. Find this wine at www.winestore.co.uk Price: £76.36 (Including VAT at 20%)