The 2021 harvest was smaller than average due to minimal winter precipitation. Spring brought adequate rainfall. A long, hot summer with good diurnal temperature swings lead to a rewarding harvest of grapes with thick skins and well-ripened phenols, which produced rich wines with superior structure balanced with freshness.
Ripe black cherries with orange peel notes lead to a medium-bodied wine with velvety tannins brimming with berries and hints of chocolate and spice. Enjoy with grilled meats, BBQ, tomato-based dishes, rich pastas, roasted vegetables and hard cheeses.
93 POINTS: JAMES SUCKLING - Notes of raspberries and cherries with red licorice, dried orange peel and spices. Medium- to full-bodied with meaty structure. Tannins are wide and velvety with a juicy, red-fruited mid-palate. Fresh and crunchy at the end. Drink or hold.
93 POINTS: WINE SPECTATOR - This powerful red is dense yet fleshy, evoking cherry, tobacco, iron, earth and wild herb notes. Balanced and fresh, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit, savory Mediterranean herbs and mineral notes.
92 POINTS: ROBERT PARKER - From a vintage that delivered great results across the region, the 2021 Chianti Classico Fonterutoli is a bit darker, more powerful and concentrated than your standard entry-level Chianti Classico. Cherry and dark plum cede to pretty mineral tones. That extra intensity is part of the house style and is a little gift for those who appreciate more meat on those Sangiovese bones. In fact, that grape is blended with a small 10% part of Malvasia Nera and Colorino in this ample 290,000-bottle release hitting the market now.
92 POINTS: WINE ENTHUSIAST - On the nose, undertones of graphite and fresh pepper accentuate the potent astringency of crunchy red fruit. The fruitiness becomes gentler and juicier on the palate, with notes of blood orange and wild cherry, but lurking tannins and acid recall the smack of the nose.
91 POINTS: VINOUS - The 2021 Chianti Classico Fonterutoli is redolent of dark cherry, plum, leather, licorice, menthol, dried herbs, incense and sage. Pliant and expressive, with gorgeous depth, the 2021 is a fine edition of the straight Chianti Classico.
