Tuesday, December 6th, 2022
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Two Gems by Cult Tuscan Icon Fontodi |
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Dear Artisans,
If not—a quick summary is below:
- Six vintages ranked in Wine Spectator's Top 100 of the Year (three of them TOP 10)
- Seven vintages rated 98-100 points across Wine Advocate / Vinous / Spectator
- $140-$250 btl
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Usually sold out upon release, like Sassicaia
I'm completely fine with that.
That's why we still have multiple vintages and great prices.
In true 2018 vintage fashion, both are exploding out of the bottle right now. Fontodi uses French oak which reminds us of our other favorite Super-Tuscan Cepparello—damn we love this style!
We drank both wines earlier this week and just loved how they melt into your face upon pop-and-pour.
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Fontodi wines are currently the most sought-after for collectors and connoisseurs, and their flagship "Flaccianello" has recently garnered several well-deserved 100-point scores.
Similar to Chateau Beaucastel, this has also earned the honor recognized among the world's greatest wines six times total, in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year (with three of them in the TOP 10).
And yet, somehow, their mind-blowing Chianti Classico flies under the radar and remains an unbelievable bargain.
This wine is so luxuriously silky that it should be ILLEGAL.
Here's what Antonio Galloni had to say about this vintage:
"Giovanni Manetti's 2018s are superb examples of the vintage. The wines are rich, but not at all heavy, and marked more by energy than volume. Flaccianello is simply extraordinary. Over the last few years the wines have gained notably through a greater use of large format wood and shorter time in oak overall. A rare producer whose achievements go beyond wine, Manetti was recently re-elected to a second term as President of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico. The value of his leadership for the entire region can't possibly be overstated. Earlier this year Manetti was knighted as Cavaliere del Lavoro, one of Italy's most prestigious and rare civilian awards."
In addition to the Chianti Classico, we have their Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione (the highest level of quality for Chianti Classico), which is a perennial 95-99pt scoring powerhouse on its own! You can't keep these wines inside the Chianti Classico category as they easily compete with the greatest Brunellos and Super-Tuscans.
Ciao,
-James Tran
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2018 Fontodi Chianti Classico
100% Pure Organically-Grown Sangiovese from Panzano Aged for 12 months in French Oak
96 Points - Luca Gardini:
“The usual excellence in this single-varietal Sangiovese that discovers great elegance by Fontodi, being a step ahead thanks to a blessed vintage. The fresh nose displays red cherries and raspberry, with officinal scents from citrus thyme. The mouthfeel is backed by a nice acidity. Salty tannins. Firm and incisive. Persistent.” (04/21)
95 Points - James Suckling:
"A perfumed nose of redcurrants, sour cherries, bay leaves and spices. Medium-bodied with chewy tannins. Dusty texture in the mouth with structure and a bright core of red fruit. Flavorful, ample and tannic finish with length. So serious. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable but better in 2023." (Aug 2021)
94 Points - Vinous:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Fontodi marries the natural concentration of Panzano with the greater vibrancy and energy that are such signatures here in recent years. Dark cherry, plum, graphite, leather, licorice and mocha build effortlessly in the glass. Deep and pliant, with superb integrity and purity, the 2018 is a Rockstar wine and a real standout in its peer group, which is not that of all Chianti Classicos, but of the best wines in the entire appellation." -Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021)
92 Points - Wine Spectator
92 Points - Decanter
92 Points - Wine Advocate
14.5% ABV
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- 31 bottles left
- Lowest case price in CA
Retail Price: $50.00 btl
Competitor's Price: $50.00 btl
Average Online Price: $48.00 btl
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Our Sale Prices:
$42.99 btl (1-5)
$41.99 btl (6-11)
$39.99 btl (12+)
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Past vintage is also available!
2017 Vintage:
95 Points #26 Top 100 of 2020 - Wine Enthusiast
94 Points - Vinous
94 Points - James Suckling
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2018 Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo
Chianti Classico
Gran Selezione
98 Points - Vinous:
"The 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is quite possibly the most elegant, refined version of this wine I have ever tasted. It does not offer the immediacy or impact of either the 2015 or 2016, but, instead, impresses with its elegance, persistence and total class. Bright floral and spice notes add perfume to a core of red-toned fruit. The 2018 represents another move towards greater finesse at Fontodi. It spent a year in French oak barrel and a second year in cask." -Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021)
96+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Fontodi 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is simply gorgeous now and we should expect better things to come as the wine continues its bottle evolution. This organic, single-vineyard expression (with 29,000 bottles made) delivers impeccable balance and beautiful intensity throughout. The wine sports a developed fruit side that contrasts nicely against the spice and tobacco-like tones that come thanks to 18 months in French barrique and six months in botte. The 2018 vintage can sometimes be hard to read. For example, this wine offers sharp acidity but it also sees a 15% alcohol content plus lots of enduring sweetness and ripeness. The tannins are especially supple and sweet. I can't wait to try this wine in 10 or 15 years from now. Vigna del Sorbo hits the market in September." -Monica Larner (7th Oct 2021)
96 Points - Luca Gardini:
"Another hit for Fontodi, a great expression for this typology. Vigna del Sorbo surprises again on the nose, which is complex and multifaceted. Scents from the undergrowth, sour cherry, touches of peony, and rhubarb. The mouthfeel is the most convincing: dense, crispy, crunchy, with savory and persistent tannins. The scent of dark small fruits and undergrowth returning in the long aftertaste."
96 Points - James Suckling:
"Beautiful blue fruit with mahogany and violets. Full-bodied with creamy, polished tannins that show a beautiful polished and texture. So drinkable already. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold." (7/21)
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Retail Price: $110.00 btl
Competitor's Price: $110.00 btl
Lowest NorCal Price: $100.00 btl
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Our Sale Prices:
$99.97 btl (1-5)
$95.97 btl (6-11)
$89.97 btl (12+)
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