FONTODI Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Vigna del Sorbo 2017 Bottle ORG

Description

The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a highly acclaimed wine, receiving 96+ points from Vinous for its dense and packed character, although noted for being unexpectedly backward, suggesting excellent potential for long-term aging. Antonio Galloni anticipates that it will develop beautifully in 4-5 years, with a drinking window extending up to 25-30 years. Decanter awarded it 95 points, praising its aromas of macerated black cherry, liquorice, and bay leaf, rounded by muscular tannins and vibrant acidity. The Wine Advocate rated it 94 points, highlighting its expressive and rich profile with dark fruit and plum notes. Wine Enthusiast scored it 93 points, showcasing its bold flavours of baked plum, new leather, and concentrated black cherry, making it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts.

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Fontodi is a prestigious winery located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy. Established in the early 1960s by the Manetti family, Fontodi is dedicated to producing high-quality wines that embody the essence of the terroir. The estate encompasses approximately 130 hectares of vineyards, with a significant portion dedicated to Sangiovese, the hallmark grape of the Chianti region.

The winery is known for its commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices, prioritising the health of the vines and biodiversity in the vineyard environment. Fontodi's vineyards are situated at higher altitudes, which allows for cooler temperatures and greater temperature variations, resulting in grapes that develop excellent balance and complexity.

Fontodi's flagship wine, Flaccianello della Pieve, is a highly acclaimed 100% Sangiovese that has garnered numerous awards and high scores from wine critics globally. The estate also produces a range of Chianti Classico wines, characterised by rich fruit flavours, robust structure, and a distinctive earthy minerality.

With a focus on traditional winemaking techniques combined with modern innovation, Fontodi has established itself as a leading producer in Chianti, appealing to both collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the elegance and authenticity of Tuscan wines.

VINOUS 96+ points
Drinking Window 2027 - 2042
From: Chianti Classico: More Than Meets The Eye (Sep 2020)
The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a dense, packed wine. It is also surprisingly, almost shockingly backward. That is probably a good thing for its long-term aging prospects. Readers hoping to get an early glimpse into the 2017 before it shuts down may have a hard time doing that, as today acids and tannin dominate. I expect the 2017 will be stellar in another 4-5 years and drink well to age 25-30 if not longer. Proprietor Giovanni Manetti gave the 2017 18 months in barrique followed by 6 months in cask. - By Antonio Galloni on August 2020

DECANTER 95 points
Tasted by: Michaela Morris
(at Vancouver, 27 Mar 2021)
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2036
Fontodi’s solo Gran Selezione, this sits shoulder to shoulder with the estate’s iconic SuperTuscan, Flaccianello. While the latter is a selection of grapes, Vigna del Sorbo comes from a single vineyard in the heart of Panzano; a warm, southwest-facing site on Galestro soil. Dense and concentrated, the 2017 articulates the vintage without slipping into over ripeness. The nose offers macerated black cherry, liquorice, bay leaf and smoky oak. Hefty and structured, it is firmly framed by muscular, compact tannins. A core of racy acidity carries blackcurrant, bitter chocolate and roasted coffee right through the finish.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 POINTS
Reviewed by: Monica Larner
Drink Date: 2022 - 2040
The Fontodi 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is expressive, dark and thickly concentrated. I received my samples early and found that this wine was a little shy or slow to open in this early phase. If given extra time, the bouquet warms up to dark fruit, plum, rum cake and dried violet. I came back to the wine about two hours later and discovered a pretty note of crushed aspirin or carbon, with more crushed flower. The oak adds sweet spice and scorched earth, but these too will integrate with time. From a hot and dry vintage, I'd easily give this edition of Vigna del Sorbo a 15- or 20-year drinking window.
Published: Aug 13, 2020

WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 points
Made entirely with organically cultivated Sangiovese, this bold red has aromas of baked plum, pipe tobacco, new leather and French oak. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet weightless, delivering black cherry extract, blackberry, licorice and espresso. Close-grained, velvety tannins provide the tight framework. Drink 2022–2027. — Kerin O’Keefe