Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Philip 2017

The owners of Fonterutoli are the Marchesi Mazzei, who also own the "Zisola" estate in Sicily and "Tenuta Belguardo" in Tuscany. They played a significant role in the history of Tuscan winemaking: thanks to the Mazzei, the name "Chianti" emerged in 1398. Today, the Mazzei family owns 470 hectares of vineyards, 69 hectares of which are occupied by the Fonterutoli estate vineyards, located in four distinct areas: Belvedere, Fonterutoli, Badiola, and Siepi. One of the factors determining the high concentration and complex aroma of Fonterutoli wines is the support of low vine yields: no more than 40 hectoliters of grapes are obtained from 1 hectare. The distinctive characteristics of the berries grown in different territories also influence the wine's flavor profile. Berries harvested from the lower plots in Siepi and Belvedere create a powerful structure, while clones from the higher plots of Fonterutoli and Badiola impart richness and elegance to the wine. Special attention is paid to the harvest: grapes from different plots are picked only by hand at different times when the berries reach optimal ripeness. The winemaking process is overseen by the legendary agronomist-oenologist Carlo Ferrini, awarded the title of "Winemaker of the Year" by Gambero Rosso in 2000.