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What We Say 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva D.O.C.G.
EXCEPTIONAL WINE ALERT:
Today’s Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG is one of the best Chianti that we’ve tasted this year. An exceptional wine that has all the rustic and lively fruit, real depth and complexity that but is also smooth and generous without sacrificing feel and texture – simply a delicious wine.
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Mission Codename: Return of the Lucky Horseshoe
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Acquire an exclusive allocation of an exceptional Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Mission Status: Accomplished
Current Winery: Fattoria Le Fonti
Wine Subject: 2007 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Winemaker: Dr Stefano Chioccioli
Backgrounder:
Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in one of the eight sub-regions in the Chianti region. This one hales from the Panzano In Chianti commune located about halfway between Florence and Sienna, a region known for having among the finest Chianti made. The DOCG requires that these wines range from 75-100% Sangiovese grapes and often is blended with Caniolo Nero, Trebbiano, Malvasia or Cabernet Sauvignon (regular Chianti is limited to no more than 90% Sangiovese).
This Chianti Classico DOCG is mostly Sangiovese with a little Cabernet and Merlot blended for good measure, and while is still considered youthful, is drinking wonderfully right now and has exceptional cellar potential. The finest Chianti Classico, such as this one, can age gracefully for up to 20 years and are also among the funnest food wines from Italy.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark and dense garnet with a clear dense heart that has glistening streaks when held to the light. The color remains garnet-red to the edges. When swirled widely spaced slow fat legs ring the glass.
Smell – Rich and redolent with notes of spiced black and red-fruit, black licorice and complex woody and oaky component blend with a hint of herbaceousness, bittersweet chocolate and a touch of of hot and exotic spice.
Feel – This full-bodied well developed wine is dry, expansive, smooth and warm in its attack and has with a touch of spice and tangy and racy acidity hitting at mid palate as the finely textured tannins and minerality that grips the tongue and lasts into the finish.
Taste – Great balance between its tangy red (cherry and ripe plum), ripe black fruits (blackberry) with hints of licorice, toasted and complex oak that doesn’t overpower but is still quite present along with a touch of hot exotic spice. Layers of vanilla, toast along with herbal and mineral components that adds depth.
Finish – Extremely long and smooth and clean with tightly woven tannins and acidity grasping the fruit, oak and spice for several minutes.
Conclusion – The 2007 Fattoria Le Fonti Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, like the exceptional previous vintage is a fantastic wine that sets the bar high. Classic aromas and flavors with fantastic acidity and texture making this wine ideal for classic Tuscan cuisine. Youthful still, but drinking very well right now – let it breathe for a half hour or so. A fine example of one of the region’s best wines and a worthy addition to your personal collection of fine Italian classics.
Mission Report:
Agent White and the winemaker have been reported A.W.O.L., having been last seen enjoying this wine at a trattoria on the outskirts of Florence.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Fattoria Le Fonti can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Fattoria Le Fonti
Awards & Accolades:
About This Wine:
Le Fonti Chianti Classico Riserva is characterized by a deep ruby red color and aromas of black cherry, blackberry, caramel cream, and cinnamon spice. It has a long, black fruit finish, good fresh acid, and cat’s tongue tannins.
The Riserva Chianti Classico persuades through elegance and finesse. Sangiovese by heart with a little addition of Merlot, this wine ages for almost two years in French oak barrels before being bottled and aged for further 6-9 months on the bottle before release. The longer aging helps the wine to gain structure and longevity and makes it an ideal partner for any festive meal.
About The Winery:
Halfway between Florence and Siena, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, lies the small village of Panzano. Just below the village church, at 450 m above sea level, is the Fattoria Le Fonti. Since 1994, the Schmitt-Vitali family has replanted all of the vineyards, taking great care in selecting the right type of plant with the correct root stock; and renovated the cellars, incorporating the latest technology to help them make better and longer lasting wines. The fattoria is small and completely family-run, employing only a couple of outside workers, and they depend on family manpower and taste from the harvest to the final blend. For expert consultation and knowledge, they call on the consultant enologist Dr. Stefano Chioccioli. Le Fonti’s small size and dedicated family involvement allow for meticulous care of the vineyard, ensuring that only the best fruits reach the cellar and only the finest blends get bottled in the end.
About The Vineyards:
Le Fonti’s vineyards are situated just below the village of Panzano, resembling a horseshoe-shape around the winery. Since 1994 all the vineyards have been replanted with selected rootstocks and plants adapted to our area, elevation and soil type.
The vineyards are farmed sustainably to save the integrity of the environment. We strongly believe that a great wine starts in the vineyard and thus take meticulous care of our vines and select only the best grapes for the cellar.
The vineyards are planted on a mixed soil of gravel, schist, limestone, sand and clay – a soil mixture also known as Galestro. The composition of soil differs throughout the property and our vines are planted to use this to their best advantage.
The Merlot vineyard, for example, is in a place where we used to have Sangiovese but due to the high content of clay and sand this soil made the growing of Sangiovese often difficult and the grapes suffered especially after heavy rains. For the Merlot in the same spot these problems are almost non-existent and it proved to be an excellent choice to let nature help itself.
Overall we have almost 85% Sangiovese vines, with the remainder equally divided between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: Sangiovese with small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Vineyard: Panzano In Chianti
Aging: Aged in new and used French tonneaux for 18 months, then further bottle aging
Alcohol: 14.5%
