FELSINA BERARDENGA Vin Santo del Chianti Classico - Chianti Rufina, Tuscany 2018 HALF

Description

IN BRIEF
Fèlsina Berardenga Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2018 is a concentrated, elegant Vin Santo marrying dried fruit sweetness with bright acidity and refined oxidative complexity. Deep amber with topaz highlights, it offers dried apricot, fig conserve and orange marmalade, then candied citrus peel, honeyed quince and caramelised apple; airing reveals beeswax, toasted almond, pastry crust and warm spice of cinnamon and clove. Rich and finely textured, the palate balances luscious marmalade and toffee honeycomb with crystallised ginger and almond praline, while a faint bitter orange pith and saline minerality lend tension. Oxidative notes of tobacco leaf and almond skin add savoury depth. Long, resonant finish. Serve slightly chilled with cantucci, Stilton, crème brûlée or panettone. Drink now to 2040.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Felsina Berardenga Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2018 is a beautifully concentrated and elegant interpretation of Tuscan passito tradition, showing sweetness tempered by lively acidity and refined oxidative complexity. The colour is deep amber with warm topaz highlights and a clear bright rim. The nose is generous and layered, opening with dried apricot, orange marmalade and fig conserve, followed by candied citrus peel, honeyed quince and a warm caramelised apple character. With airing delicate notes of beeswax, toasted almond and pastry crust develop, while gentle spicy tones of cinnamon and clove add a savoury counterpoint.

On the palate the wine is richly textured yet finely balanced, the sweetness countered by a bright citrus acidity that keeps the profile poised rather than cloying. Primary flavours of dried apricot and marmalade evolve into candied orange peel, crystallised ginger and a deep toffee like honeycomb note. Mid palate complexity is enhanced by toasted almond, almond praline and a faint bitter orange pith that provides tension and lift. A carefully managed oxidative element contributes a savoury almond skin character and a subtle tobacco leaf nuance that rounds the wine without drying it out.

The 2018 vintage produced grapes with concentrated sugars and excellent aromatic intensity, and careful appassimento and barrel ageing have turned that material into a Vin Santo of real harmony and persistence. The finish is very long and resonant, leaving echoes of marmalade, warm spice and a saline mineral clarity that keeps the sweetness fresh.

Drink now to 2040, peaking 2028 to 2036. Serve well chilled in small glasses with traditional cantucci for the classic match, or pair with blue cheese such as stilton, almond tart, crème brûlée, panettone or foie gras to contrast and complement the wine’s marmalade and nutty characters. This 2018 Vin Santo is both sumptuous and refined, perfect for contemplative sipping and celebratory desserts.

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ABOUT FELSINA BERARDENGA
Felsina is a historic estate in the heart of Chianti Classico, located in the commune of Castelina in Chianti, and recognised for wines that combine Sangiovese intensity with regional authenticity and ageing potential. The property belongs to the Cinelli Colombini family, whose stewardship across generations has emphasised respect for tradition, careful vineyard renewal and investment in terroir research. Family ownership has allowed a long term approach to viticulture that balances tradition with selective technical innovation.

Vineyards occupy a variety of exposures and soil types typical of Chianti Classico, including clay and limestone rich parcels that contribute structure and mineral lift. Plantings are led by Sangiovese, complemented by small percentages of native and international varieties used sparingly in some cuvees. Vine age varies across plots, with a mix of older, low yielding vines and younger plantings introduced through renewal programmes. Vineyard practice focuses on canopy management, yield control and hand harvesting to ensure physiological ripeness and aromatic lift. Increasing attention to soil health, cover cropping and sustainable practices supports vine longevity and expression of site.

Winemaking is overseen by the estate technical team and a head winemaker who manages parcel by parcel vinification to preserve site nuance. The cellar philosophy favours small batch fermentations with careful temperature control, gentle extraction and strict sorting to maintain Sangiovese purity and fine tannic structure. Maturation strategies are chosen to respect fruit clarity while adding texture and complexity, typically employing French and Slavonian oak of varying age according to cuvee needs. Regular blending trials and rigorous tasting guide final selections for the estate bottlings and reserve wines.

The range spans Chianti Classico estate wines through to Riserva and single vineyard bottlings that demonstrate depth and ageing capacity. Typical tasting notes include red cherry, wild berry, floral perfume, spice and a mineral thread framed by fine grain tannins. Through sustained family stewardship, meticulous vineyard attention and careful cellar craft, Felsina remains a benchmark for expressive Sangiovese from Chianti Classico.