Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG

Description

Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG is made at the Castello di Fonterutoli estate, which has been owned by the Mazzei family since 1435. Fonterutoli is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine-growing region, a couple of miles to the south of the commune of Castellina in Chianti in Tuscany.

Mazzei Fonterutoli, a Historic Wine Producing Family

The history of the Mazzei family is intrinsically linked to the history of winemaking in Tuscany, and there are mentions of the family as far back as the 11th Century. A new state-of-the-art winery, designed by family member and architect Agnesi Mazzei, was completed in 2006. The winery is gravity fed, the grapes, juice and wine move throughout the winery under their own weight and a big emphasis is placed on sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

Mazzei Estate

Today, the estate comprises some 650 hectares, with 117 hectares under vine, and is located in five principal production areas: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Badiola, Belvedere and Caggio. The vineyards are mainly planted with Sangiovese grapes with some Merlot, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The soils are comprised of ‘Galestro’, a classic Tuscan shale, which has excellent drainage and encourages the vines to put down deep roots and ‘Alberese’, a compact, fine-grained limestone marl. Yields are kept low at less than 40 hectolitres per hectare to produce high-quality, complex, elegant and structured wines.

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Vineyards

Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% comprised of Malvasia Nera, Colorino sourced from 7 different vineyard sites in the commune of Castellina. The vineyards are located between 220 – 550 metres above sea level with an average age of 12 to 35 years, and the grapes are handpicked.

Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG Winemaking

• Fonterutoli Chianti Classico is vinified traditionally with a maceration period of 16–18 days.

• The wine is aged for 12 months in a mixture of small French oak barrels (225 and 500 litres), 40% of which are new.

• The wine is normally a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia Nera, and 5% Colorino.