FELSINA 'Berardenga' Chianti Classico Reserva 2021 Bottle ORG

Description

IN BRIEF
Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 is a poised, expressive Sangiovese marrying bright Tuscan fruit with savoury depth and refined tannins. Clear ruby with a crimson rim, it shows sour cherry, Morello and ripe plum with violet, dried oregano and bay leaf; airing reveals tobacco, cedar and forest floor. Medium plus with a generous yet focused mid palate, Morello cherry and red plum are joined by black olive, cured meat and a hint of soy reduction while bright acidity keeps the wine lively. Toasted spice and vanilla from measured oak add warmth; a dried orange peel note and cool mineral seam lend tension to a long savoury finish. Drink 2026–2034. Critics: James Suckling 93 "fresh and focused"; Wine Advocate 91 "ripe fruit and mineral."

ABOUT THIS WINE
Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 is a poised and expressive Sangiovese that marries bright Tuscan fruit with savoury depth and refined tannic structure. The colour is a clear ruby with a youthful crimson rim. The nose opens with fragrant sour cherry, Morello and ripe plum, accompanied by aromatic violet and a warm herbaceous note of dried oregano and bay leaf. With gentle airing the bouquet broadens to reveal tobacco leaf, cedar and a subtle earthiness of forest floor and leather that add complexity without masking the primary fruit.

On the palate the wine is medium plus in weight with a generous yet focused mid palate and finely grained tannins that provide a supportive frame. Primary red fruit of Morello cherry and red plum leads, followed by savoury layers of black olive, cured meat and a hint of soy reduction. There is a pleasing lift from bright acidity that keeps the wine lively and frames the mid palate, while a discreet touch of toasted spice and vanilla from measured oak ageing gives warmth and length. A faint dried orange peel note and a cool mineral seam add tension on the finish, which is long, savoury and memorably persistent.

The 2021 vintage in Chianti Classico delivered ripe fruit tempered by good natural acidity in well tended sites, and here Felsina’s careful selection and classic élevage produce a Riserva that balances approachability with cellar potential. Approachable now with gentle decanting, this bottle will also evolve over the medium term as tertiary notes knit with the fruit.

Drink 2026 to 2034, peaking 2028 to 2032. Serve slightly below room temperature with roast pork, grilled lamb cutlets, pappardelle with wild boar ragout, mushroom and truffle risotto, aged pecorino or a charcuterie board. This Riserva is generous, food friendly and refined, making it an excellent choice for both convivial dinners and more formal meals.

JAMES SUCKLING 93 points
A firm and silky red with cherry, dried flower and orange peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and a fresh and focused finish. Needs a little time to soften but I already enjoy the energy here. Drink or hold.
James Suckling, Senior Editor

THE WINE ADVOCATE 91 points
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2024 - 2032
In the bottle with the black label, the Fèlsina 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is shaped by ripe fruit, slate-like mineral notes and toasted oak. There is a charred element of campfire ash or spent ember that surrounds a core of blackberry and black cherry. The oak element is a little too much, especially at this young stage in the wine's life.

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ABOUT FELSINA
Felsina is a historic Chianti Classico estate in the heart of Tuscany, long admired for expressive Sangiovese wines that combine energy, structure and regional authenticity. The property is owned by the Cinelli Colombini family, whose stewardship across generations has emphasised respect for tradition, careful vineyard renewal and investment in site research. Family ownership has allowed a long term approach to viticulture that balances heritage with selective technical innovation.

Vineyards cover a varied mosaic of exposures and soil types typical of Chianti Classico, including clay and limestone influenced parcels that contribute structure, perfume and a mineral thread. Plantings are dominated by Sangiovese with small percentages of native and international varieties used judiciously in some cuvees. Vine age varies across plots, with older, low yielding vines providing concentration and younger plantings offering freshness and precision. Viticultural practice focuses on canopy management, yield control and selective hand harvesting to secure physiological ripeness and aromatic lift. Increasing attention to soil health, cover cropping and sustainable measures supports vine longevity and site expression.

Winemaking is directed by the estate technical team under the oversight of family management 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 depending on cuvee. Regular blending trials and rigorous tasting guide final selections for estate bottlings, reserve Riserva and single vineyard wines.

The range spans Chianti Classico estate wines, Riserva and single vineyard cuvees that demonstrate depth and ageing capacity. Typical tasting notes include red cherry, wild berry, floral perfume and spice with a mineral backbone 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.