Chianti Wines

wines

The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista sees fruit sourced from one of Castello di Ama’s most beautiful vineyards with a wide exposures and plenty of sunshine. This wine shows profound complexity and a far-reaching bouquet that evolves slowly in the glass. Of these three single-vineyard Gran Selezione wines (Bellavista, La Casuccia and San Lorenzo), the Vigneto Bellavista is the most complete, but it is also the most linear and streamlined in terms of mouthfeel. I would bet on putting this wine aside in your cellar for a longer aging time.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPAma’s 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Bellavista is a flat out stunner. Dark and brooding in its first impression, the 2016 races out of the glass with explosive vertical lift. This structured, potent Chianti Classico won’t be ready to drink anytime soon, but it is immensely promising. Savory herbs, crushed rocks, chalk and dried flowers add myriad layers of dimension. The 2016 is complex, nuanced and built for cellaring.Vinous Media | 98 VMA glorious and racy red with ultra-fine tannins that are polished and very intense. It grows on the palate and delivers fabulous crushed raspberries, apple skins and wet earth. Lovely combination of ripeness and transparency. Drink in 2021, but wonderful to taste now if you decant it.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2016 Castello di Ama Chianti Classico San Lorenzo Gran Selezione has a rich tomato/dried tomato nose, with gentle spice. It is very concentrated in the middle without being heavy and it has clearly delineated flavors, a silky texture and nicely integrated tannins. Medium length on the finish, it is very harmonious, precise, long, savory and fine. This San Lorenzo Gran Selezione takes its name from the San Lorenzo valley is a blend of mainly Sangiovese with a little Merlot and Malvasia Nera.The Wine Independent | 97 TWIThis is a contrast of power and refinement, with black cherry and black currant fruit encased in a sheen of oak, while burly tannins and vivid acidity enhance the structure. Awkward today, this displays incredible elegance, with a laser of vivid acidity driving the exceptional length. Sangiovese and Malvasia Nera. Best from 2023 through 2043. 315 cases made, 40 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 96 WSAromas of black-skinned fruit, dark spice and sunbaked soil mingle with whiffs of camphor and forest floor on this enticing blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Malvasia Nera. The elegant, structured palate delivers black plum, ripe black cherry, star anise and crushed mint while firm, polished tannins provide support and finesse. It’s well balanced, with bright acidity, while an earthy hint of game gives the finish depth. Drink 2023–2036. Wine Enthusiast | 96 WEBorn in 1978, Bellavista was one of the first single-vineyard bottlings in Chianti Classico. The high percentage of Malvasia Nera is historical and Castello di Ama continues to replant it, blending it to give colour and soften Sangiovese’s acidity. The wood is more apparent here than in Ama’s two other Gran Seleziones and this is also the most backward of the three. Nonetheless, cinnamon, menthol and balsam aromas eventually emerge along with underlying violet and iris nuances. The tannins are still fairly angular but ripe and polished, while the acidity is positively racy and the finish is energetic. Time will bring all the elements together.Decanter | 94 DEC

Delicate aromas recalling scorched earth and truffle mingle with mocha and botanical herb on this 100% Sangiovese. Elegant and enveloping, the supple palate features fleshy plum, orange zest and baking spice before an espresso finish. Soft tannins offer supple support. Drink through 2024. Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KODelicate aromas recalling scorched earth and truffle mingle with mocha and botanical herbs on this 100% Sangiovese. Elegant and enveloping, the supple palate features fleshy plum, orange zest and baking spice before an espresso finish. Soft tannins offer supple support. Drink through 2024. Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEThe 2019 Chianti Classico is fresh, vibrant and so expressive. Aromatic and expansive, with terrific nuance, the 2019 is one of the most elegant Chianti Classicos I have tasted at Fontodi. Crushed flowers, red/purplish fruit, spice, lavender and pipe tobacco build into the delineated, vibrant finish.Vinous Media | 93+ VMThis succulent red is hallmarked by very pure expressions of cherry, raspberry, violet and mineral. Firmly built, with energy and a persistence that extends the fruit, tobacco and mineral elements on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThis benchmark Panzano estate is still in the hands of long-time owner, Giovanni Manetti, but the new generation is very much in evidence: Manetti’s son Bernardo, daughter Margherita and nephew Costa now play fundamental roles as the estate continues to grow. Fontodi’s 2019 is striking and pronounced in fragrance. Liquorice and black cherry are offset by coffee, char and tobacco. Vigorous tannins yield slowly but surely as this makes its way across the palate. Its structure is well-proportioned with the ripe black fruit, substantial but never heavy or imposing, underscored by some tanginess. As always, it soars above its category.Decanter | 93 DECSweet berry and cherry aromas with plenty of flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body. Fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Delicious now.James Suckling | 93 JSOffering a clear snapshot of the vintage, the 2019 Chianti Classico draws its organic fruit only from Panzano from estate vineyards and a few leased parcels in the Conca d’Oro. The bouquet opens to fresh cherry, bright rose and other floral nuances. The mineral signature in this wine is strong and serves to give focus and linearity. It offers good flavor intensity to the palate, with elegant tannins to finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 92 RPThis 2019 Fontodi Chianti Classico shows an attractive bright mid-deep youthful purple ruby color. The nose remains reticent on standing with notes of spice, pepper and mineral aromas of flint and iron, not especially fruity, but with some light cooked red fruits underneath. The palate is medium full bodied, mouth-filling with long savory, salty, spicy tannins, but a little lacking in depth of flavor in the middle. Nevertheless it is a serious style Chianti Classico meant to be paired with food.The Wine Independent | 92 TWI