Chianti Classico Terrazze di San Leolino Gran Selezione Panzano DOCG 2022 (BIO)

Tenuta Fontodi | Tuscany
Az. Agr. Fontodi | Giovanni e Marco Manetti s.s. | IT 50022 Panzano in Chianti

09483422 · 0,75 l · 92,00 €/l · Price (DE) incl. VAT, excl. Shippingavailable immediately

As long as 200 years ago, San Leolino was regarded as a 'cru' vineyard. Above the thousand-year-old Pieve – the Romanesque chapel first mentioned in documents dating back to 982 – terraces wind their way through the upper part of the Conca d'Oro. Giovanni Manetti discovered drawings dating from the 15th century at the University of Florence which proved that this slope was once entirely planted with vines. What followed was a rebirth: the terraces were restored, covering 4.5 hectares at an altitude of 450 to 500 metres, on Alberese limestone. These soils differ fundamentally from the schist-rich galestro of the Vigna del Sorbo – here, hard limestone dominates, imparting freshness, brightness and a mineral precision. The pandemic years gave Giovanni the leisure to walk through his vineyards and reflect. He realised that this plot has its own identity, a terroir that calls for separate vinification. The first vintage was 2019; the fourth is now 2022. Production remains small: just 5,000 bottles.

A radiant ruby red with a delicate rim. The bouquet reveals blackberry, violet and ink, alongside earthy, stony notes – the minerality of the Alberese is ever-present. On the palate, it has a medium-bodied structure with ultra-fine, firm tannins that lend it focus. Vibrant acidity carries the fruit: red cherries, blackcurrants, along with rose and a pronounced salinity on the finish. The texture is silky over firm tannins; the wine is almost linear in structure, concentrated but never heavy. The final is long, spicy, with chalky minerality. A Gran Selezione of impressive elegance and purity – three to four years' bottle ageing will open it up further, with ageing potential extending into the 2040s. SUPERIORE.DE

"A deep, glossy ruby red. An alluring bouquet with notes of juicy black cherry on damp earth, accompanied by cedar, leather, cayenne pepper and a hint of nougat; complex. Precise fruit on the palate, with plenty of tension and a wonderful interplay between lively acidity and silky tannins; very long on the finish." Falstaff

"Aromas of blackberries, violets and ink give way to a medium-bodied wine with ultra-fine tannins that are firm and concentrated. Bright acidity. A powerful finish. Rather straightforward and solid on the palate, suggesting that three or four years' bottle ageing will soften it." James Suckling

"The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leonlino 2022 is a relatively new wine that expands the estate's portfolio with top-quality wines from various terroirs within the appellation. This wine displays a dark, inky colour, with lovely depth and richness, offering plenty of nuance in terms of fruit and spice. The tannins are fine and elegant. It offers plenty of body and a velvety texture, with power derived from a robust alcohol content of 15 per cent." Wine Advocate

"This wine is ripe, opulent and concentrated, with aromas and flavours of blackberries, black cherries, blackcurrants, violets, earth and spices. Driven by lively acidity and lifted by firm tannins, it finishes with a long, nuanced aftertaste. All the elements are in place; it simply needs time to come together." Wine Spectator

"After restoring the ancient, terraced slope beneath the San Leolino chapel, the Manetti family launched this single-vineyard bottling with the 2019 vintage. Like Vigna del Sorbo, it comes from the township of Panzano but is more profusely fragrant and linear in character – though there is no lack of power. Aromas of sandalwood, liquorice, rose and smoky black tea entice. A brightly lit mouthful of fleshy red cherry and mint-infused dark brambles follows. This vibrates with tension and tangy minerals, while fine, grainy tannins provide an unwavering ballast." Decanter

"The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino 2022 is rapidly establishing itself as one of Fontodi's flagship wines. The high altitude and the Alberese soils produce a Chianti Classico characterised by its salinity and tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spices, new leather, incense and blood orange colour the palate. The 2022 vintage spent 12 months in French barriques and a second year in French oak casks. What a wine!" Vinous