Fontalloro Road

If you do a quick search on this website, you'll soon realize the high esteem with which I hold the Tuscan producer Felsina.  Recently I've been tasting some of their newest releases and with the Chianti Classico as good as ever, I decided to sample their latest Fontalloro. 

Fontalloro is the epitome of Tuscan Sangiovese.  It's everything lovers of the grape will want.  It's racy, ripe and full of that Sangiovese character that is unique to Tuscany. Furthermore, it's an easy candidate for your cellar.  2009 was a hot year in Tuscany.  Vintners were challenged to manage the weather and those that waited too long to harvest risked having overrripe grapes.  It seems that in Southern Tuscany, in the Brunello zone,  this problem was more severe; a fact I'm looking to analyze as I begin my Brunello tastings later this month.  However, in Central and Northern Tuscany and especially at higher elevations, the weather was more moderate.

~ Wild Lavender in Tuscany ~

The 2009 Felsina Fontalloro  is the latest release of this classic Tuscan and is a very good representation of the vintage.  I chose not to decant the wine, but open it and leave it on the counter for about 40 minutes before dinner.  The color is deep garnet that lightens to violet at the rim.  At once the effects of the vintage are noticeable, but seem to have been handled well.  The nose is ripe, with rich crushed berry and cherry notes.  With some swirling the wine does display hints of Tuscan brush as well as tobacco and sage.  I sense some nice development possible with time.  On the palate, the fruit is warm and rich - cleary showing the ripeness of the vintage.  However, there's enough acid to balance the wine out.  It definitely lends itself to being opened sooner rather than later.  On the finish there's some menthol, and herbal notes that will smooth with time and develop nicely.  Young for sure, but not overly tannic either.   Paired well with chicken cutlets, grilled eggplant and insalata caprese.  91 points - could go up with some maturation.  Very good value at $38.

~ 100% Sangiovese from Felsina ~ 

Buon fine settimana!