Castello di Farnetella

~ Castello di Farnetella ~

Castello di Farnetella is an estate located in Sinalunga, just south east of the Chianti Classico zone and bordering the DOCG zone for Montepulciano.

 

Farnetella is a fairly large estate of over 432 hectares, with 56 planted to vines and the remainder to forest, grains and olive groves.  The history of Farnetella dates back centuries and in fact, the area is actually a tiny hamlet unto itself, with the grand Farnetella Castello dominating. Over the centuries, the Castle has been destroyed and rebuilt many times; a direct result of the many wars fought between Florence and Siena. 

 

Since 1981, the estate is owned by the Poggiali family - owners of the famed Tuscan estate Felsina.  The wine is vinified and aged at their winery in Castelnuovo Berardenga.  The topic of today's article, is the juicy 2010 Castello di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi.

 

Comprised from 92% Sangiovese and 8% Merlot, the wine is bright ruby with violet accents. In the glass the wine offers pleasing aromas of sage, underbrush and berries with a spicy vanilla note.  On the palate, the wine shows slightly tart flavors of berries that are a little bit lean.  With some additional air, the wine plumped up a little bit and a more perfumed profile was noticed.  This seems a solid value at around $13,  but it falls short of what Felsina typically produces under their own label and also falls short of many of the other Chianti Colli Senesi that I've recently reviewed.

 

In general,  I'm beginning to ponder that the 2010 vintage, even for wines at lesser price points, is going to take some time to show it's best.  I've not had a young wine yet from 2010 that knocked my socks off and this followed suit.  Slightly lean and awkward at first - but plumping up with more air and swirling. 

 

The 2010 Farnetella is aged in various size barrels for 8-12 months and then 3 additional months in bottle before release.  86 points, about $13.

 

~ Castello di Farnetella Chianti Colli Senesi 2010 ~

 

E vero! To learn more about Castello di Farnetella, see here: Farnetella