2021 Fontodi Chianti Classico

The 2021 Chianti Classico is classic wine from the estate, done in the more restrained style that has become the norm here of late. There`s plenty of Panzano richness, but more energy and less heaviness than what was common just a few years ago. Giovanni Manetti and his team have given the Chianti Classico gorgeous refinement. Spice, flowers, mocha and blue fruits linger, all wrapped together by ultra-finessed tannins. The 2021 spent 20-22 months in barrel—65% cask and 35% neutral French oak barriques. 94 points

Classico’s annata level, Fontodi’s 2021 over-delivers yet again, exuding the wild, tousled, arid Tuscan countryside on a backdrop of dark, layered fruit. Hints of coffee and liquorice ripple through concentrated black cherry and blackberry. With ripe, gravelly tannins, this shows the power of the vintage without being forceful and maintains charismatic energy throughout. It`s worth waiting a few more months before tucking in, but properly cellared, this will easily keep delivering for a decade. 94 points