2021 Fontodi Chianti Classico

Fontodi sits in the heart of Chianti Classico, in the famed Conca d’Oro (“golden shell”) amphitheatre just south of Panzano. This valley has long been celebrated for its vineyards, thanks to a mix of high elevation, calcareous clay-schist soils, abundant sunlight, and a climate that balances warm days with cooler nights. Under the stewardship of the Manetti family, Fontodi has become one of the benchmark estates of the region, producing wines that marry precision and depth with a strong sense of place.

A pure Sangiovese, Fontodi's Chianti Classico is aged for around two years in large neutral oak, with further bottle aging before release. It’s Fontodi’s calling card, classical and finely balanced, and a true introduction to the estate’s style.

Other Reviews....
The organic Fontodi 2021 Chianti Classico shows extra density in this vintage. There are ripe fruit aromas with blackberry and plum. You also get rich meatiness or thickness to the fruit that adds to the overall dimension and mouthfeel of this approachable wine. Bright acidity brings all these elements into greater focus. Drink 2024-2032.
92 points
Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

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. Drink 2026-2041.
94 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

Emblematic of the exceptional quality offered at Chianti 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. Drink 2025-2035.
94 points
Michaela Morris - Decanter

This red straddles the fruity and savory sides of Sangiovese, revealing cherry and blackberry fruit offset by eucalyptus, juniper and wild rosemary flavors. Lively and fluid, with tension on the complex, minerally aftertaste. Best from 2026 through 2042.
94 points
Bruce Sanderson - Wine Spectator