This is essentially a Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot to help soften things up a bit and accentuate the rich berry flavours. The end result is a wine that is medium bodied and with rich plum fruit, aniseed and a hint of struck match. Well suited to drinking now, or if you like less fruit, buy a few bottles and lay them in your cellar and open one each year to see it open up.
Sinalunga Province of Siena Established: 1981 Owners: Beppe Poggiali Winemaker: Franco Bernabei Production: 400,000 bottles Hectares under vine: 65 Viticulture: Organic In 1981 Felsina purchased Castello di Farnetella, a 432 hectare property situated south-west of Chianti Classico, near Siena in the Chianti Colli Senesi appellation. Both Franco Bernabei and Giuseppe Mazzocolin oversee the operation, ensuring the same disciplined approach and attention to detail as at Felsina itself. Farnetella has 65 hectares planted, mostly to Sangiovese but also small amounts of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon at altitudes from 200 to 560 metres above sea level. The more southerly location of the Colli Senesi results in a softer style of Chianti than the neighbouring Classico region. Farnetella Chianti is produced from hand-picked, low yield fruit which is allowed extended maceration and then barrel aged for up to 12 months, with a further six months in bottle prior to release. The blend is 92% Sangiovese, 8% Merlot, giving a pristine wine of deep mulberry colour and dark cherry fruit, medium bodied with great depth of flavour and persistence. A better value in classy Chianti may be hard to find.
