Felsina Fontalloro 2016 IMP

Fèlsina Fontalloro 2016 in the rare 6L imperial format is a benchmark pure Sangiovese from one of Tuscany’s most respected estates. Widely regarded as one of the finest vintages ever produced of this iconic wine, the 2016 combines classical elegance with impressive depth and precision. This is a collector’s bottle designed for long-term cellaring and memorable table occasions.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2016 Fontalloro shows a deep, vibrant ruby core with garnet reflections beginning to emerge, signaling both concentration and early evolution. The nose is complex and captivating, opening with dark cherries, black plum and wild berries, layered with precise notes of tar, licorice, camphor ash, resin, dried rose petal and a subtle thread of Indian spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet impeccably balanced, offering more volume and texture than many prior vintages while retaining remarkable finesse. Ripe red and black fruits are framed by fine, polished tannins and a vivid, mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything lifted and focused. Nuances of tobacco, leather, balsamic herbs and sweet spices unfold with air, leading to a long, refined and very precise finish. In a 6L imperial, the aging potential is outstanding: this wine will continue to gain complexity and harmony over 15–25 years, and likely beyond under proper cellaring conditions.

Production
Fontalloro is sourced from Fèlsina’s top Sangiovese parcels straddling the border between Chianti Classico and the Colli Senesi, giving the wine a unique expression of both zones. The vineyards sit on a mix of limestone-rich alberese and clay with galestro schist, at moderate elevations that ensure excellent diurnal temperature swings and slow, even ripening. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal maturity, with careful selection in the vineyard and at the winery. After a temperature-controlled fermentation and maceration designed to extract fine tannins and aromatic complexity, the wine is aged in small oak barrels (a mix of new and used French barriques) for around 18–22 months, followed by an extended period in bottle to allow the components to fully integrate before release. The imperial format further slows the evolution, preserving freshness and structure.

Food & Serving
This 2016 Fontalloro is a natural partner for refined, richly flavored dishes: think bistecca alla fiorentina, slow-braised lamb shank, ossobuco, game birds, truffle risotto, or aged cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano Reggiano. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and balance. Given both the vintage and the large-format bottle, decanting for 2–3 hours is recommended in the near term to allow the wine to fully open; as it matures, a shorter decant of 60–90 minutes will be sufficient to remove any sediment and bring out its tertiary nuances.

Producer
Founded in 1966 near Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina has become one of the great standard-bearers of Sangiovese and a key reference point in Tuscany. The estate was instrumental in elevating Chianti Classico’s reputation, championing single-varietal Sangiovese and terroir-driven wines long before it became fashionable. Fontalloro, first released in the 1980s, helped define the category of top-tier Tuscan reds that could sit alongside the world’s finest wines, even outside traditional DOCG rules. Today, under the guidance of the Poggiali family, Fèlsina is celebrated for its consistently high quality, its respect for traditional farming, and a long track record of critically acclaimed, age-worthy wines from some of the region’s most prized vineyards.

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