Felsina

The pephas a cleanly tinted bouquet in which fruits like peach and pear are clearly visible. Pleasantly dense is the fresh, spicy, slightly mineral taste, very appealing. SUPERIORE.DE

Well-balanced Chianti Colli Senesi with rich sweet cherry and plum aromas, balanced by notes of spices and tobacco. The assertive tannins and a firm acidity make Berardenga a complex version of Senesi. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fèlsina's Chianti Colli Senesi is wonderfully refined and gracious in 2018. The moderate growing season yielded a Chianti with striking translucence and real class. Sweet red fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and sweet pipe tobacco add lovely aromatic nuance throughout. The 2018 is elegant and so expressive." Vinous

Sangiovese in pure culture: Radiant ruby red. Rich in fruity-floral aromas, multilayered, herbaceous, deep and of good polish with further development potential. A full-bodied and harmonious Chianti-Classico of the most authentic kind. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Opens with subtle spicy notes, some cardamom and thyme, then ripe cherry and raspberry. Substantial and grippy on the palate, showing dark berry fruit, opening with grippy, dense tannin." Falstaff

"The Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Berardenga is a toned and delicate expression of 100% Sangiovese from a vintage that produced beautifully subtle and understated wines. It shows good momentum driven by dark fruit, blackberry and summer cherry. The intensity of these aromas is downplayed and rendered less pronounced, adding elegance and fragility. Pretty background notes of spice and balsam herb add an extra layer of complexity." Robert Parker

"New leather, camphor and blue flower are some of the aromas you'll find on this bright, fragrant red. On the medium-bodied palate, vibrant acidity and taut tannins surround cassis, Marasca cherry and tobacco notes." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2018 Chianti Classico Berardenga is endowed with so much class. In 2018, the Classico is a bit more restrained than it can be. That mid-weight sense of structure, though, gives the wine quite a bit of early appeal. Even so, I would cellar the 2018 for a few years, as all the elements haven't fully come together just yet. Dark cherry, game, smoke, licorice and earthy notes are a reminder we are in Castelnuovo Berardenga, even if the 2018 has less weight and overt power than Fèlsina fans are used to seeing." Vinous

"Perfumed and fresh with cherries, cedar and hints of dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a long, direct finish. Really lively and fresh. Very typical for a top Chianti Classico." James Suckling

Straw yellow Chardonnay, scented with banana and white flowers, with a fresh, hearty taste, crisp fruitiness and beautiful length. One of the great white wines of Tuscany! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Fèlsina 2018 Chardonnay I Sistri very much reflects the mild vintage and represents a slight departure from some of the past editions we have seen. This is a silky and more delicate rendition of barrique-aged Chardonnay with soft tones of yellow rose, honeysuckle and sweet almond. The wine hits a moderate intensity threshold in which the smaller details are given more prominence. Ash, aniseed and crushed mineral appear. This is balanced, mid-weight Tuscan Chardonnay with lots of cooling freshness on the finish." Robert Parker

"A serious white with sliced cooked apples and cream with some pie crust. It’s medium-to full-bodied with delicious fruit and a very enticing finish." James Suckling

Pale straw yellow, smells of bread crust, mimosa, medlar and almond. After 22 months on the yeast it is nicely round and balanced, with good acidity, clean and of praiseworthy persistence. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brioche, hay and white stone fruit aromas waft out of the glass. Made with 60% Sangiovese, 20% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, the bright linear palate offers yellow apple, citrus and bread crust, alongside a vibrant perlage." Wine Enthusiast

On the upswing is the distinctive Spumante Rosé made mainly from Sangiovese and Pinot Nero, which with its fragrant, fresh, spicy and silky character confidently demonstrates what can be made out of the Tuscan terroir. SUPERIORE.DE

"A blend of 50% Sangiovese, 30% Pinot Nero and 20% Chardonnay, this opens with lovely aromas of pressed rose, wild red berry, botanical herb and a whiff of fresh pastry dough. The dry, elegant palate has finesse and tension, delivering pomegranate, orange zest and bread crust alongside a refined persistent perlage and tangy acidity." Wine Enthusiast

The Spumante Edition Millesimato 2012 - carefully matured in the Metodo Classico process - is juicy, floral and creamy and shows a nice acidity. It's a stuff dreams are made of. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fèlsina's 2012 Millesimato Metodo Classico Brut shows tight and tonic lines with a generous personality. Peach and stone fruit aromas are found at its core and the wine also offers delicate mineral tones and a pretty touch of baked bread. This was a warm vintage, and you get extra padding or textural definition as a result. The finish is silky, and both these sparkling wines from Fèlsina offer delicate perlage that is not too spicy or sharp." Robert Parker

"Complex aromas with notes of lemons, kiwi, apples and pie crust. Full body, a round and dense texture and an exciting and mineral finish. A complex sparkling wine." James Suckling

Vivid and wonderfully clear in colour, the Chianti Classico Riserva unfolds its inviting fragrance reminiscent of ripe cherries with notes of spices and wild herbs. Dense and extremely juicy on the palate with a proper tannin pack, full of personality and authenticity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Opaque ruby. Inviting nose of rich cherries and raspberries, delicate rose scent. Youthful palate with crisp, juicy tannins, very appealing and drinkable, good length, promising." Falstaff

"This has a shy nose that eventually reveals whiffs of ripe black-skinned fruit, leather, forest floor and balsamic hints of eucalyptus. Showing the heat of the vintage, the medium-bodied palate is already somewhat evolved, offering dried black cherry, incense and sandalwood alongside dusty rather drying tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"The Fèlsina 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga (with 70,000 bottles made) is a rich and sultry expression of pure Sangiovese with dark fruit intensity and a beautiful contouring of spice, leather and tar. This wine hits the intensity nail on the head without the overt over-ripeness that we saw in many of its peers from this hot and dry vintage. I would not recommend an especially long drinking window, but I can enthusiastically recommend this authentic taste of Chianti Classico for near or medium-term drinking." Robert Parker

"The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva is a total knock-out. Sumptuous and enveloping, but with plenty of structure to support it all, the 2017 captures all the best elements of the house style. Succulent black cherry, worn-in leather, smoke, licorice and espresso all build in the glass as the 2017 shows off its curves. More than anything else, the 2017 is a wine of tremendous pleasure." Vinous

"Plenty of fruit concentration with cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and lots of concentration. Intense and rich. Give it a year or two to come together." James Suckling

Strong golden colour, in the nose beguiling notes of orange, peach, apricot and ripe pineapple. In the taste a light almond tone with clear grape character and elegantly fat sweetness. An ideal dessert and meditation wine for special occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

"A gorgeous, caramel and toffee-laden white with hints of salt and honey. It’s full, very sweet and flavorful. Goes on for minutes" James Suckling

"Hold your horses, this is one spectacular Vin Santo that explodes with intensity and authenticity. The Fèlsina 2008 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a true work of art, and I recommend that you sit back to savor every single special sip of this traditional sweet wine from Tuscany. The bouquet offers thick layers of candied fruit, apricot, honey, brown sugar and maple syrup. It is sweet, but in a delicate way. It provides enough tangy fruit, freshness, spice and toasted nut to magically appear less sweet than it actually is. Smoke, camphor ash and dried mint appear on the extra long finish." Robert Parker

Nero di Nubi is a brilliant, unspoilt expression of this delicate Burgundy grape variety with great strength and a typical Tuscan attitude. You can taste the warmth and exuberance of the lush 2015 vintage, but this additional richness and strength never exceeds the natural limits set by this variety from the outset. In the bouquet forest berries and candied cherry with orange peel and violet. To finish, a little powdered earth with dried Mediterranean herbs. Fabulous! SUPERIORE.DE

Sparkling, medium-dense ruby garnet. Powerful and energetic, expressive and dense is the Rancia Riserva from the single vineyard of the same name. The bouquet is characterized by a deliciously ripe and full-bodied fruit as well as mineral notes. The taste is earthy, rich in tannins and terroir, beautifully articulated, fine and with pleasurable length. A wine that requires sensitivity and/or a few years of rest. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mid ruby with orange tinges. Exotic spice and cherry fruit on the nose. Tangy cherry fruit that builds up on the palate. Polished tannins on the finish. Ready now but has good potential." Jancis Robinson

"In 2017, Giovanni Poggiali describes the work in the vineyard as focused on the vines' root system to reduce water stress. Harvest started 15 days earlier than average and at the beginning of September he did a qualitative thinning to get rid of any shrivelled bunches or those showing problems with ripening. Fèlsina's flagship wine, Rancia is still brooding. Plum and tar show up on a backdrop of vanilla and exotic spice. Though fruit is supple, layers of assertive tannins need time to loosen their grip. Appetizingly savoury, this finishes with an intense, irony character." Decanter

"Cherry, plum, juniper, earth and chocolate flavors highlight this sleek, intense red. There is depth and length here, along with a solid structure, yet this will require time to unravel and reveal all its facets." Wine Spectator

"Rancia is always one of my favorite wines from this storied appellation (and the Castelnuovo Berardenga subzone). This vintage threw quite a few challenges at the winemaking team, but the Fèlsina 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges intact, intense and beautiful. It is virtually unscathed by the heat and drought that marked this growing season. In fact, that brilliant radiance, linearity and energy of the Sangiovese grape comes through loud and clear. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, wild berry, toasted almond, violet and potting soil." Robert Parker

"Plenty of fruit concentration with cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and lots of concentration. Intense and rich." James Suckling

"The 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is incredibly polished and sophisticated. Silky tannins give the 2017 its racy, sleek personality. Over the last year, the 2017 has really settled into a gorgeous place. There is plenty of vintage 2017 intensity, but Rancia is distinctly medium in body and restrained. The wilder side of Sangiovese, one of the signatures of Rancia and Fèlsina more broadly, tastes a bit baked out. I can't wait to see how the 2017 develops over the coming years and decades." Vinous

Maestro Raro first shines with its vivid colour and then impresses with a bouquet that reveals a wonderful blackberry scent with spices, leather and tobacco aromas. The concentrated taste is soft and smooth, with a stable acidity that cooperates perfectly with the tannin structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"A big, rich cabernet with lots of currant, coffee, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, very chewy and concentrated. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022." James Suckling

"The Fèlsina 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro is a spicy, generous and intense expression of this beautiful French grape with a wild Tuscan spirit. You can't escape those notes of sage and Mediterranean herb, with Morello cherry, wild plum and blackberry that give this wine a deep sense of territorial identity that transcends its varietal character. I notice that plumpness and softness of the fruit, the succulence too, that is tied to the hot growing conditions of the vintage. The wine is open-knit and ready." Robert Parker

"A broad-shouldered style, matching blackberry, plum and graphite flavors to a solid structure. This is fresh and pretty well-balanced, with gravelly tannins shoring up the finish. Best from 2022 through 2038." Wine Spectator

"The 2017 Maestro Raro is a powerful, brooding wine. My impression is that as time goes by, the Maestro Raro, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, becomes more and more a wine of the estate than a wine of variety, there is plenty of volume and depth in the dark fruit, but Maestro Raro is deeply marked by the wild, animal undertones that run through all of these wines. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years." Vinous

Straw yellow Chardonnay, scented with banana and white flowers, with a fresh, hearty taste, crisp fruitiness and beautiful length. One of the great white wines of Tuscany! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Fèlsina 2018 Chardonnay I Sistri very much reflects the mild vintage and represents a slight departure from some of the past editions we have seen. This is a silky and more delicate rendition of barrique-aged Chardonnay with soft tones of yellow rose, honeysuckle and sweet almond. The wine hits a moderate intensity threshold in which the smaller details are given more prominence. Ash, aniseed and crushed mineral appear. This is balanced, mid-weight Tuscan Chardonnay with lots of cooling freshness on the finish." Robert Parker

"A serious white with sliced cooked apples and cream with some pie crust. It’s medium-to full-bodied with delicious fruit and a very enticing finish." James Suckling

Shiny ruby with a slight garnet edge, mineral, woody-fruity scent of cherry, cedar, blueberry and hazelnut. With aeration the aromas become more and more complex and the terroir influence very clear. Compact and very present on the palate with fine-grained tannin and classic proportions. Very high ageing potential and one of the highest quality Sangiovese of central Tuscany. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shining ruby grenade. Opens with subtle earthy notes of tobacco, pomegranate, cherry and some strawberry. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, shows well worked out fruit, pithy, gripping tannin, well integrated, salty and with good tension. Falstaff

"In the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, the Fèlsina property spills over the Chianti Classico border into Chianti Colli Senesi. Fontalloro is a blend of vineyards from both sides. Artfully tousled, it captures Sangiovese's untamed side. Sunbaked herbs and irony earth permeate exuberant wild berries. There is plenty to chew on without being heavy and while tannins are a bit gritty, this has a ton of personality." Decanter

"The flavors of cherry, strawberry and rose are pure, with a backbone of acidity and dense tannins for support. Iron and wild herb accents add depth as this red lingers, showing smoke and spice notes. Features a sense of urgency, driven by vivid acidity. The finish evokes energy. Best from 2022 through 2038." Wine Spectator

"I like the clarity and linear quality to this with ripe-cherry and bark flavors. It’s full-bodied, though not heavy and ponderous. Racy and bright at the end." James Suckling

"The Fèlsina 2017 Fontalloro pours out of the bottle with a bang. This pure expression of Sangiovese is luscious and dark with thick layers of dark fruit, plum, cherry, leather and tilled earth. This hot-vintage edition shows good depth and intensity with lots of that black-fruit energy and extra concentration that is typical of this growing season. However, you can always count on Fontalloro to show balance, and that's exactly what you get here despite the adversity of the scorching summer season. That Sangiovese acidity remains intact and crisp." Robert Parker

"Fontalloro is exquisite in 2017. It is also such a contrast to the Rancia, as the two wines could not possibly be more different. Fontalloro is bright and vibrant, with more sweet red Sangiovese character than the darker Rancia. It is also incredibly delicious now, even though it clearly has the energy to age for many years. The 2017 is one of the finest Fontalloros I can remember tasting." Vinous

When you hear the story of the effort that went into the Colonia vineyard, you have to wonder if the fine people of Fèlsina are absolutely crazy. It took them two years to remove the imposing rock that had forced previous generations of the Poggiali family to virtually abandon this noble site. But it is thanks to the ambitious Giovanni Poggiali that this spectacular vineyard (Vigneto Colonia) became what it is today. It has reddish-brown soils, is rich in magnesium and iron, and is thus quite different from all other Fèlsina sites.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a wine of enormous beauty and depth. Dark ruby in the glass, it smells expressively mineral and pure, with aromas of dark cherry and blackcurrant. Mineral and graphite aromas and the simply terrific focus on the Sangiovese grape make it an incomparable masterpiece. On the palate, it is extremely well-balanced and elegant with optimally integrated wood - it is immediately clear that another top wine of the house has been created that is more than a match for the Fontalloro. Fortunately for those who can taste it, there are only 3,000 bottles per vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny ruby with garnet glints. The nose shows emphatic earthy components of tobacco and red beet, then lots of raspberry. Full-bodied and hearty in the attack and course, shows lots of grippy tannin, also earthy notes on the palate." Falstaff

"Lots of cherry and vanilla aromas and flavors with a full body, dense and structured center palate and a long, flavorful finish. Shows blue fruit and dried flowers at the end." James Suckling

"Tasted young, the Fèlsina 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia shows a darker color of fruit (compared to the lither and more delicate 2016 vintage that I tasted at the same time). Sangiovese grapes were naturally concentrated by the heat and dryness of the vintage, and the oak signature is more prominent here. I'd definitely suggest putting this wine aside in your cellar to allow for better integration. I kept my open bottle at 55 degrees Fahrenheit and tasted it again two days later. The wine opened beautifully to show rich and profound fruit with some of those earthy and dusty limestone aromas that are so specific to this labor-intensive farming site on a remote hilltop. The score you see here was adjusted higher after that second tasting. A mere 6,000 bottles were made." Robert Parker

Felsina's Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from Vigneto Colonia is a project of the Poggiali family that has been going on for three generations. The vineyard has reddish-brown soils, rich in magnesium and iron on boulders of limestone and calcareous marl, quite different from all the other sites of Fèlsina. The wine is impressively dark ruby, expressively mineral and pure, with aromas of dark cherry and blackcurrant. Pure elegance, refinement and harmony in just 3,000 numbered bottles for true lovers of Sangiovese! SUPERIORE.DE

"Beguiling scent of red berries, liquorice and herbs; pithy on the palate, the tannins bulky, in balance with the fresh acidity, fine-tangy final with notes of red forest fruits, leather and bitter almonds. Very successful." Vinum

"Intense, sparkling ruby with a garnet shimmer. Opened with surprisingly ripe notes, after liquorice, then lots of plum, some raspberry. On the palate then very fresh, like cherry, opens with present, pithy tannin in many layers, salty and deep." Falstaff

"The Colonia parcel sits at the top of Fèlsina's Poggio a Rancia vineyard on an extremely rocky outcrop. South facing and reaching upwards of 400 metres above sea level, it is enclosed by forest. Aged exclusively in new fine-grain, medium toast French oak barriques, this has the power and depth to effortlessly absorb the wood. It exudes the untamed generosity of Tuscany's countryside with baked earth, dried thyme plum, and succulent dark cherry punctuated by savoury spice and incense. While immediately seductive in its charms, structurally this could use some more time in the bottle as those vigorous chalky tannins build artfully across the palate." Decanter

"The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia possesses off the charts richness and intensity in a bold, racy style that captures all the best this site has to offer. Striking inner perfume, bright red Sangiovese fruit and soft contours add to the wine's compelling balance. Much more open today than Rancia, Colonia is positively stunning in 2016. In fact, it is the finest Colonia yet." Vinous

"Notes of dried berries, cedar, meat and truffles with some mushrooms. Full body. Chewy and very rich. A lot of wood now, but shows wonderful intensity and power. Give it two or three years to soften." James Suckling

"The Fèlsina 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is true, elegant and bright. This wine is teaming with inner energy and beautiful fruit resonance that comes forward with forest berry, tilled earth, cassis and pressed violet. These aromas are held in tension, creating a crest or halo that radiates from deep inside. It remains mid-weight in approach, but don't underestimate the length and polished mouthfeel that drives a long and very elegant finish. I came back to my sample 24 hours later and appreciated the perfectly aligned and integrated character of the tannins. Give this wine plenty of time to evolve and flesh out in your cellar." Robert Parker