Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2018

Castello di Fonterutoli has been owned and run by the Mazzei family for almost 600 years so it is one of the most historic wine producers in Italy. It’s a home of generally dependable Chianti with a couple of exceptional wines that are worth hunting down. This is quite a modern example of Chianti Classico but also still sticks with a traditional recipe of Sangiovese with a dash of Malvasia Nera and Colorino. Deeply coloured, there is an array of fruits of the forrest to start before diving into more terracotta and dried herbs with a liberal dash of vanillin French oak. The palate is more reserved, although mouth filling and vibrant, and has clearly settled in for the long haul thanks to its understated power and balance of fruit and structure. Put it down for a decade to see this wine at its best.

Angus Hughson

Founder at Winepilot

Angus is an award-winning wine writer and the Founder and Publisher of Winepilot, the Australian Editor for leading international publication VINOUS with Antonio Galloni based in New York City and the Co-Publisher of The Australian Ark with over 15 years of publishing, writing and judging experience.

Criticauthor and publisher