Fèlsina Berardenga, `I Sistri` Chardonnay

Country: Italy  Region: Tuscany  Vintage: 2019

Varietal: Chardonnay  Category: White Wine  Color: White

Producer: Fèlsina Berardenga

"This 470 hectare estate is located northeast of Siena, in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga on the southern border of the Chianti Classico production area. Fèlsina epitomises the powerful style of southern Chianti, where the wines are stylistically more akin to those from Montalcino than their fellow Chianti from Fontodi or Isole e Olena.

Giuseppe Mazzocolin ran the estate from the end of the 1970s until 2011. He is now less involved in the day to day management, but consultant oenologist Franco Bernabei is still very much at the helm of the winemaking team.

The Fèlsina Chianti Classico is fresh and vibrant with remarkable elegance. Their barrel-fermented Chardonnay 'I Sistri' is made from 60% free-run must and combines a ripe, buttery nose with a touch of tropical fruit on the palate, while maintaining a fresh finish. 'Vigneto Rancia' is a six hectare Sangiovese vineyard on sandstone, chalk and galestro soils. The wine is aged for 12-18 months in oak and is concentrated yet elegant with dark, red and blackberry fruit and a fine character. The 'Fontalloro' is made solely from Sangiovese grapes grown on three vineyards, two of which sit just outside the Classico border. It is typically characterised by a powerful structure and great concentration of tannins.

The 2009 Gran Selezione Colonia is made from Sangiovese grapes grown on a vineyard that was finally planted in 1993, after many years of extremely hard work on this difficult but rewarding site. Aged for 30 months in French oak for and only produced in very small quantities it displays a unique complexity and intensity which justifies its position at the apex of premium Chianti Classico wines."

Product Features: Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian

Winemaker: Franco Bernabei

Vineyards:

The grapes are grown on vineyards covering 4.72 hectares of Chardonnay vines. The training system is simple Guyot, with 8-14 buds per vine, planted at a density of 5,400 per hectare. Cluster thinning takes place in July in order to increase concentration. The vineyards are situated at approximately 370 metres above sea level and face south/southwest. Soils are sandy with alluvial pebbles. Sistra (sistri) were ancient Egyptian musical instruments linked to the cult of Isis, goddess of agriculture and fertility. The instrument, popular with the Greeks, Romans and Hebrews, consisted of a horseshoe-shaped frame struck by moveable rods, creating a similar sound to the German Glockenspiel.

Vinification:

Whole-cluster pressing yielded about 60% free-run must, which was then cold-settled and racked. The must was then fermented in small barrels where it remained on the lees until March before blending. After blending it continued to mature until July before bottling.

Tasting Notes:

Deep straw yellow. A classic ripe-fruit Chardonnay nose, with a blend of tropical fruit and vanilla and appealing notes of spice. Elegant structure with a fresh acidity and superb finish.

Food Suggestion: Enjoy with creamy pasta, seafood or even white meats.

Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:13%  Classification: IGP  Acidity [g/l]: 4.9