Mission Codename Sempre
“One of the 50 wines that changed Italy’s wine style.” - Gambero Rosso
“A total knock-out and one of the best recent vintages I can remember tasting.” - Vinous
A knockout indeed! And with our discount factored in, we’d call landing a 98-point Tuscan of this caliber an utter conquest of monumental proportions. Now layer on an almost HALF OFF break and it starts to get seriously mental… anyways, read on, or just click now to grab some before it’s too late.
Castello di Fonterutoli has a rich history making wine in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has been in the hands of the Mazzei family since 1435!! That’s 26 generations making wine, and they were one of the first to plant Merlot in the region. This wine combines a 50/50 blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, sourced from the very best blocks in their vineyard. And remember, 2015 was an EPIC vintage, which makes this one of their best wines in 600 years!!
Fresh, ripe, and structured, a brooding and dark, deep purple hued wine that’s for sure. The first thing that hits you is the aromas filling the room with ripe dark fruit, orange citrus peel, and exotic wood. Onto the taste… blackberries by the truckload! Fresh red cherries, a twist of vanilla, Christmas spice cake, a dusting of wild herbs, a sprinkle of sweet tobacco, and a whiff of cedarwood. We dare you to find a better wine to pair with your dinner. How about braised short ribs and exotic mushroom risotto!
A truly prolific red for anyone who loves great Super-Tuscans. Not to miss!
98 Points – Fallstaff International
“Rich, flint ruby with purple glints. Very appealing and intense nose of dark chocolate and tobacco, then lots of expressive ripe dark berry fruit. Juicy and clear on the palate with a lot of vivid fruit, then opens up with pithy, fine tannin in many layers, salty and long.”
96 Points – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“I was quite impressed with the Fonterutoli wines this year. Filippo Mazzei continues to give his wines a greater geographic imprint, which is always great to see. Siepi, Fonterutoli’s Sangiovese/Merlot blend rounds out this range of new releases. The 2017 Siepi is a total knock-out and one of the best recent vintages I can remember tasting. All the elements simply fall into place. Succulent dark cherry, spice, chocolate, leather and licorice build as the 2017 gains volume in the glass. Sangiovese and Merlot have rarely been so complementary. The 2017 is a gorgeous wine that offers plenty of the richness readers have become accustomed to over the years, but in a slightly less extracted style. Drink 2024-2037.”
What the Winery Says
2017 'Siepi' Castello di Fonterutoli Toscana IGT
- Winemaker / proprietor
- Giovanni Mazzei
- Vintage
- 2017
- Alcohol
- 14.2%
- Varietals
- 50% Sangiovese, 50% Merlot
- Commune
- Castellina, Chianti Classico, Tuscany
- Vineyard age
- 17-30 years
- Soils
- Mainly Alberese
- Total acidity
- 6.7 g/L
- Planting density
- 4,500-6,500 vines/ha
- First vintage
- 1992
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 70% new French oak