Playing it safe.
After the Ashton failed to deliver and Shell asked for another bottle to be opened, quick decisions needed to be made. It may seem ridiculous, but I put a lot of thought into what wine I am opening. It is not just the food, many elements are in play. There are wines that other people have recommended after I have made less than flattering comments about similar wines. Wines I have never tried before, from regions never experienced. Wines from regions we love but have not experienced and grape varieties yet to be explored.
I could roll the dice, there were Barolo’s and Brunello’s from the difficult 2014 vintage that would be interesting. There were two Châteauneuf-du-pape’s that I was keen to show Shell, a Vacheron from Sancerre, a Fresia from Langhe, the list goes on. Ultimately, I didn’t want to disappoint and the notion of opening a third bottle should the second fail to meet expectations was not appealing.
I played it safe with one of the most consistently excellent wines we drink.
I don’t think there is a Chianti that is more quintessentially Chianti than the Fontodi. It is of the few wines I can reliably pick from the glass in a blind tasting. If your goal is to convert a wine drinker to Chianti, Fontodi is what you could serve. Pure fruit, firm yet balanced acidity, incredible savoriness, the wine delivers everything a Chianti should.
Decanted for 30 minutes.
100% Sangiovese.
Medium ruby in the glass. The primary fruit of cherries and blackcurrant dominate the nose. In the background are dried oregano, nutmeg, and sweet tobacco. There is a soft minerality supporting the fruit and interesting charcoal, graphite-like element lingering at the edge of the senses. Unmistakably Chianti, it is an aroma profile that is pure and requires attention. The palate offers medium-plus acid and medium-plus tannin. Cherries dominate and soft mocha-vanilla element rounds a long finish. The wine offers terrific balance and intensity and despite its savoriness, it is a textured mouthfeel held in check with great acidity.
A great Chianti Classico. It is little wonder we continue to come back to this wine.
Drink now – 2025+
92 pts.
