Fontodi
Chianti Classico 2013,2015
Italy
About the SessionItaly dominates the auction, led by a considerable depth of Tuscan greats. Fontodi spans the full range of the estate from the benchmark Chianti Classico through multiple vintages of Flaccianello della Pieve, their iconic Sangiovese IGT, to the crown jewel Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. The jewel in the crown of Tuscan reds, Brunello di Montalcino is well represented with offerings from Il Poggione, Casanova di Neri, Silvio Nardi, and the rare Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta. A group of curated Italian Collections rounds out the Italian session, offering mixed selections ideal for those seeking range across multiple producers in a single lot.
About this Item
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2013 (2 x 750ml)
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2015 (1 x 750ml)
Two vintages of Fontodi's Chianti Classico from the Manetti family's organically farmed Conca d'Oro estate above Panzano, one of the appellation's most admired producers. The 2013, from a classically structured and late-ripening year, shows polished aromatics, exceptional freshness and impressive longevity, rated 92 by Galloni at Vinous. The 2015, from an outstanding warm and generous vintage, delivers great richness and seductive depth, awarded 17 by Harding MW at JancisRobinson.com and 93 by both Sanderson at Wine Spectator and Galloni at Vinous.
Provenance
The late David Brice was a respected wine connoisseur, collector and co-founder of Brice and Burnett – The Fine Wine Specialists (formerly Wine Cellar). His lifelong passion for wine from all corners of the world wine, and generosity, helped develop a culture of fine wine in South Africa and beyond. Always with value and authenticity in mind, the collection spans a wide range of styles from leading producers and diverse regions. The wines were professionally imported under refrigeration and carefully stored at Brice and Burnett (formerly Wine Cellar) thereafter. Many of the producers are not available in South Africa and provide an excellent buying opportunity.
For more detailed information on the lots, please feel free to contact Roland Peens (roland@briceandburnett.co.za). Roland spent many years sharing and enjoying these wines with David Brice and is happy to provide further insight into the collection.
Critics Ratings
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2013
“Much more marked acidity and tannins than the 2015. Savoury and more youthful.” - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20 (Jun 2018)
“The 2013 Chianti Classico is gorgeous. My impression is that proprietor Giovanni Manetti has pulled back on the intensity in his wines, although he insists nothing has changed. Still, the 2013 impresses for its total polish and finesse. Of course, some of that may be attributable to the late-ripening vintage. In my view, slightly shorter macerations and more use of large format oak plays a role here. At the same time, there is plenty of Fontodi's signature textural richness, but also striking aromatic presence and tons of persistence. A closing burst of acidity adds vivacity to the dark red and blue stone fruit flavors. The 2013 is fresh, less heavy and also less oaky than some recent editions. This is an absolutely impeccable wine from Fontodi.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 92/100 (Jul 2016)
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2015
“Delicate and dusty on the nose with some sweetness of oak spice. Dry, more chewy than some, the oak showing more in the texture than the flavour, which is all about pure fruit. Long, chalky but supple. Reined back but complete.” - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20 (Oct 2018)
“Rich, packed with cherry, leather, dark chocolate and wild herb aromas and flavors. Dense and vibrant, with a long, mouthwatering finish that picks up a graphite edge.” - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator, 93/100 (Oct 2018)
“The 2015 Chianti Classico is outrageously beautiful. Rich and seductive, the 2015 expresses the radiance of the year while retaining a good bit of translucence and energy. Rose petal, mint, white pepper and crushed flowers add elements of brightness to this classy, super-polished Chianti Classico. More than anything else, though, I am simply blown away by the wine's quality. A decade ago, Giovanni Manetti made darker more concentrated wines. Today, the Fontodi wines speak to finesse. The Chianti Classico is a great place to see that. It was aged in equal parts cask and neutral barrique.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 93/100 (Jul 2018)
