2021 Fontodi Terrazze San Leolino Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

The 2020 Fontodi Terrazze San Leolino Gran Selezione Chianti Classico is a stunning new single-vineyard expression from one of Tuscany’s most admired estates. Sourced from historic terraces recognized locally as a “cru” as far back as 200 years ago, this Gran Selezione combines classic Chianti purity with impressive depth and finesse. With a tiny production of around 5,000 bottles, it offers a rare glimpse into a very specific, limestone-rich corner of Panzano.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Terrazze San Leolino shows a vibrant, medium-deep ruby hue with youthful luminosity at the rim. The nose opens with earthy, stony and distinctly mineral tones, followed by wild roses, red cherry, a hint of blood orange and subtle notes of spice and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is elegant yet structured, with a fine, vertical frame powered by Sangiovese’s natural acidity and refined tannins. Flavors of juicy red cherries, red currants and rose petals are layered with savory tones of iron, tobacco leaf and a saline, spicy finish that feels both mouthwatering and persistent. The tannins are very fine-grained and already approachable, making this the most accessible in youth among Fontodi’s three icons (Flaccianello, Vigna del Sorbo, Terrazze San Leolino). Nonetheless, its balance and concentration suggest excellent aging potential over 10–15 years, during which it will gain complexity and tertiary nuances.

Production
Terrazze San Leolino comes from meticulously restored stone terraces at about 450 meters above sea level in Panzano, in the heart of Chianti Classico. Unlike Fontodi’s Vigna del Sorbo, which is rooted in galestro (friable schistous marl), these vineyards sit on predominantly calcareous, limestone-rich soils, giving the wine its tension, minerality and precision. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, parcel by parcel, to preserve freshness and aromatic clarity. In the cellar, Fontodi typically employs temperature-controlled fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel or concrete, followed by maturation in quality oak (often tonneaux) to refine structure without masking terroir. The result is a Gran Selezione that clearly expresses its high-altitude, limestone-driven origin.

Food & Serving
This Chianti Classico Gran Selezione pairs beautifully with classic Tuscan dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina, roasted lamb, wild boar ragù, or pappardelle with porcini mushrooms. It also excels alongside aged Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano and herb-crusted pork or veal. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux-style glasses to highlight its aromatic complexity. Young bottles will benefit from 1–2 hours in a decanter to soften the tannins and allow the stony, mineral notes and floral aromatics to fully unfold.

Producer
Fontodi is a benchmark estate in Panzano, located in the famed “Conca d’Oro” (Golden Basin) of Chianti Classico, and is widely recognized for elevating the reputation of the region’s Sangiovese on the world stage. The Manetti family, historically known for their terracotta production, has been at the helm since the late 1960s, driving a quality-first philosophy and embracing organic viticulture long before it became widespread. Fontodi’s flagship wines—Flaccianello della Pieve, Vigna del Sorbo, and now Terrazze San Leolino—are considered some of the most important expressions of Tuscan Sangiovese, consistently earning top scores and cementing the estate’s status as a reference point for Chianti Classico and beyond.

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