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

Description

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 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.