Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
Learn More About Fontodi Chianti Classico Through its Reviews.
2019 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
94 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Delicate aromas recalling scorched earth and truffle mingle with mocha and botanical herbs on this 100% Sangiovese. Elegant and enveloping, the supple palate features fleshy plum, orange zest, and baking spice before an espresso finish. Soft tannins offer supple support.”
93 Pointz James Suckling
“Sweet berry and cherry aromas with plenty of flowers on the nose and palate. Medium body. Fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Delicious now.”
93 Pointz Vinous
“The 2019 Chianti Classico is fresh, vibrant and so expressive. Aromatic and expansive, with terrific nuance, the 2019 is one of the most elegant Chianti Classicos I have tasted at Fontodi. Crushed flowers, red/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, and pipe tobacco build into the delineated, vibrant finish.”
93 Pointz Wine Spectator
“This succulent red is hallmarked by very pure expressions of cherry, raspberry, violet, and mineral. Firmly built, with energy and a persistence that extends the fruit, tobacco, and mineral elements on the finish.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
93 Pointz Decanter
“This benchmark Panzano estate is still in the hands of long-time owner, Giovanni Manetti, but the new generation is very much in evidence: Manetti’s son Bernardo, daughter Margherita and nephew Costa now play fundamental roles as the estate continues to grow. Fontodi’s 2019 is striking and pronounced in fragrance. Liquorice and black cherry are offset by coffee, char, and tobacco. Vigorous tannins yield slowly but surely as this makes its way across the palate. Its structure is well-proportioned with the ripe black fruit, substantial but never heavy or imposing, underscored by some tanginess. As always, it soars above its category.”
2018 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
95 Pointz 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.
94 Pointz 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. By Antonio Galloni on September 202?
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The organic 2018 Chianti Classico opens to a medium dark color and delivers a steady succession of bright berry and cherry aromas. This is a fresh and punchy wine that gives us a clean and a classic interpretation of this denomination. This wine, with 150,000 bottles produced, delivers on all the basics of Chianti Classico. It ages in oak for 18 months, with six of those months in French barrique.
92 Pointz Wine Spectator
Pretty cherry, raspberry, iron, tar, and smoke flavors are the hallmarks of this supple Chianti Classico, which is balanced and firms up nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
92 Pointz Decanter
Fontodi’s 2018 is one of the vintage’s denser annata. Besides lower rainfall in the area of Panzano, owner Giovanni Manetti also points to a sudden drop in nighttime temperatures just before the harvest - close to 0°C - which dried the grapes slightly, giving extra concentration. A deeply coloured, dark fruited, full-bodied Chianti Classico with polished oak nuances, it offers up aromas of leather, tobacco, black plum and spice. It flexes its muscles on the palate with layers of ripe tannins but allows space for the pure blackcurrant to ring out. You could forget about this in the cellar for a couple of years.
2017 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
95 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Fragrant and delicious, this opens with aromas of mature black-skinned fruit, blue flower, leather, underbrush, and a whiff of French oak. The full-bodied, enveloping palate delivers baked plum, Marasca cherry, licorice, and a note of espresso framed in fine-grained enveloping tannins that give it a smooth texture and a weightless finesse.”
94 Pointz Vinous
“The 2017 Chianti Classico Fontodi is a wine of extreme elegance that shows how much the house style has evolved here. A decade ago, in a warm year the Fontodi Chianti Classico would have been opulent, but these days proprietor Giovanni Manetti seeks finesse more than power, and that is exactly what comes through here. Ripe red Sangiovese fruit, rose petal, blood orange, and spice infuse this racy, exotic Chianti Classico with so much character. The 2017 spent two years in oak, half in cask and half in neutral oak. I loved it.”
91 Pointz Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“The Fontodi 2017 Chianti Classico gives the impression of being slightly mature or advanced, even now straight out of the gate. The hot and dry vintage has shaped aromas of candied cherry, dried plum, rum raisin, white chocolate, and a dusty note of wet chalk. The wine is quite beautiful in terms of mouthfeel, with well-integrated alcohol and tannins that close without sharpness or astringency. This dark and sultry Sangiovese shows moderate fruit, focused mostly on dark blackberry and dried cherry. I would recommend a near-term drinking window for this pleasantly rich and accessible wine.”
2016 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
94 Pointz James Suckling
“Extremely polished and refined with cherries, wet earth, and hints of smoke. Medium-bodied with a beautiful balance of fruit and spice, as well as mushrooms. Fresh at the end. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
94 Pointz Vinous
“The 2016 Chianti Classico Fontodi brings together all the elements that make the Fontodi wines so unique, but with an extra kick of freshness and aromatic intensity that is the result of a year with notable diurnal shifts during the growing season. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and menthol develop in the glass, but it is the wine's extraordinary balance and sheer appeal that stand out most. In time, 2016 may very well become the new benchmark for Fontodi's Chianti Classico. The 2016 is flat-out delicious. That's pretty much all there is to it.”
94 Pointz Wine Spectator
“A sleek, black cherry– and blackberry-infused red, coupled with a steely, vibrant structure. Linear and tense, featuring an energetic finish. Tobacco, graphite, and macchia notes add depth as this unwinds on the long finish. Best from 2022 through 2045.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“Fontodi's 2016 Chianti Classico is an expertly administered and measured wine that shows bright fruit intensity backed by Sangiovese's characteristic acidity, primary freshness, and integrated structure. This wine is perfectly engineered to pair with Tuscan dishes such as pappardelle ribbon pasta with rabbit or wild boar ragù. The wine will not only cleanse the palate from those flavors, but it will enhance the savory flavors.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
17/20 Pointz Jancis Robinson,
Master of Wine
“Mid crimson. Powerful, perfumed nose with a flirty oak note and bags of aromatic marasca cherry fruit and muscular tannins on the palate. Great balance. Ageworthy.:
2015 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
95 Pointz James Suckling
“The purity of fruit here really makes an impression on you. The nose shines with freshly picked blackcurrants, dark plums, freshly cut herbs, cinnamon, raspberry cheesecake, glazed cherries, orange and lemon rind. The palate is so well-crafted with a silky ball of tannins surrounded by layers of blue and red fruit and enveloping acidity. A long finish. From organically grown grapes.”
93 Pointz Vinous
“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.”
93 Pointz Wine Spectator
“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.”
91 Pointz Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“This is a great vintage for Sangiovese, and Fontodi embraces this fact with exuberance and enthusiasm. The 2015 Chianti Classico offers tight and precise fruit characteristics with crisp forest berry, cassis, and dried blueberry. The wine is profoundly steady and straight with absolutely no rough edges. This is a lean to mid-weight red with balanced acidity tucked in on the finish.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
93 Pointz Decanter
“100% Sangiovese, fermented in stainless steel and matured for 24 months in French oak barriques. This is one of Tuscany’s under-the-radar wines, as Giovanni Manetti treats this Classico as a riserva in all but name. A cool, elegant, built-to-last style, which has all the hallmarks of great claret.”
2014 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
93 Pointz James Suckling
“A red with berry, chili powder, and spice that follows through to a full body, juicy fruit, and a flavorful finish. Fontodi doesn't miss a stride in this difficult vintage. Excellent. Drink now.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“Fontodi's 2014 Chianti Classico is one of the most finessed vintages of this wine in recent memory. The combination of the cool growing conditions and a move toward larger oak casks has resulted in a deep yet translucent wine of notable pedigree and class. There is plenty of the typical Panzano richness, but less of the overt weight that has characterized some recent vintages.”
92 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Made with organically grown Sangiovese, this elegantly structured red offers enticing aromas of woodland berry, exotic spice, and wild herb. Vibrant and savory, the medium-bodied, youthfully austere palate boasts tart cherry, wild raspberry, clove, and licorice supported by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It’s already tempting but will be even better in a few years. Drink 2019–2026.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
17/20 Pointz Jancis Robinson,
Master of Wine
“Youthful ruby. Lifted cherry and cool spice nose. Sweetly concentrated raspberry fruit with coating tannins. A little Nebbiolo-like, yet light and utterly convincing in style and length.”
2013 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
94 Pointz James Suckling
“A dense and velvety wine with black chocolate and cherry character. Medium to full body, fine tannins, and a fresh finish. Altogether delicious. So well done and from organically grown grapes. Drink or Hold.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“2013 Fontodi Chianti Classico is a textbook expression from the appellation. The wine represents a pure expression of Sangiovese that sees six months in large oak casks and an additional 18 months in neutral barrique. Thanks to that non-intrusive aging regime, the wine shows enormous clarity and purity. Sangiovese is front and center. Wild berry, blue flower, and tanhy spice abound.”
90 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Aromas of dark-skinned berry, coffee, tilled soil, oak, and a balsamic note come together on this. The vibrant, linear palate offers tart red cherry, cranberry, licorice, clove, and espresso alongside bright acidity and fine-grained tannins.”
2012 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
93 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Aromas of blackberry, crushed violet, tilled earth and a hint of tobacco lead the nose of this generous wine. The chewy palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, ground pepper, clove, and anise alongside ripe, velvety tannins. It's already delicious but will continue to develop over the next few years. Drink through 2020.”
92 Pointz James Suckling
“Very attractive strawberry aromas with hints of lemon rind and cherry. Full body, firm tannins, and a tangy finish. A wine with very pretty tension and clarity. A standard-bearer. Drink now.”
92 Pointz Vinous
“The 2012 Chianti Classico is round, sweet, and super-expressive. Dark red cherry, spice, and tobacco meld together as this silky, open-knit Chianti Classico shows off its inviting personality. Succulent and racy to the core, the 2012 will drink well pretty much upon release. This is another fabulous showing from Fontodi.”
90 Pointz Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Fontodi's production reaches 300,000 bottles per year and this wine is the lion's share at 60% of the total. The 2012 Chianti Classico is a pure expression of Sangiovese that sees two years in botte and neutral barrique (wood that is used to make Flaccianello and Vigna del Sorbo). The vintage was hot and dry, but there was a big drop in temperatures right before the harvest that resulted in more noticeable acidity and less fruity intensity in terms of the bouquet. In fact, there is a noticeable crunchiness to the tannins and the wine offers flavors of wild berry, cassis, and mild spice. Despite the difficult vintage, this wine bears all the hallmarks of Fontodi's winemaking excellence.”
90 Pointz Wine Spectator
“This rich red features pure cherry, raspberry, and subtle briar flavors, shaded by almond and tobacco accents. Firm and powerful, with a long, expansive finish. Drink now through 2022. 10,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported.”
2011 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
94 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Delicate aromas recalling scorched earth and truffle mingle with mocha and botanical herbs on this 100% Sangiovese. Elegant and enveloping, the supple palate features fleshy plum, orange zest, and baking spice before an espresso finish. Soft tannins offer supple support. Drink through 2024.”
93 Pointz James Suckling
“Aromas of dried tangerines and plums with hints of flowers. Full body with ultra-fine tannins and a delicious balsamic, dark-fruit, and plum character. Savory and delicious. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
92 Pointz Wine Spectator
“Reinforced by beefy tannins, this black cherry- and plum-filled version offers floral and spice accents. In a modern, fruity style, yet not oaky, this stays lively and persistent through the long aftertaste. Best from 2016 through 2027.”
91 Pointz Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“I am always impressed by the wines of Fontodi. The 2011 Chianti Classico is a base wine from this excellent estate in Panzano-in-Chianti, although it aspires to much more. The bouquet is slow to open but once it does, it shows dark berry nuances with light touches of tobacco and dried rose petal.”
90 Pointz Vinous
“Dark red cherry, stone fruits, smoke, tobacco, and cloves meld together in the 2011 Fontodi Chianti Classico. Rich, ample, and broad on the palate, the 2011 captures the ripeness of the year, yet still retains a good measure of freshness. Unlike most vintages, the 2011 will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. The style is dark, brooding, and imposing.”
Bonus Reviews
United Kingdom
17/20 Pointz Jancis Robinson,
Master of Wine
“Magnum. From an organically cultivated vineyard in Panzano. Very deep blackish ruby. Wonderfully round and satisfying with fully ripe farmyard flavours. This wine plunges you into the Tuscan countryside. Spreads itself completely over the palate. Very long.”
2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Reviews
93 Pointz Vinous
“The 2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico boasts striking inner perfume, but is otherswise very shut down. Today, the 2010 seems to combine the finesse of the 2004 with some of the structure of the 2006. Clean veins of 2010 acidity support the brilliant, sensual finish. The 2010 is a gorgeous wine with a bright future, although readers will need to be patient.”
92 Pointz James Suckling
“A wine with a dried berry and plum character. Full body, silky tannins, and lots of juicy fruits. A solid and tannic Chianti Classico more like a top Brunello than a Chianti Classico! I would prefer to drink it in 2015.”
92 Pointz Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“The 2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico is a stunning wine that epitomizes the Conca d’Oro amphitheater of vines that distinguishes Panzano in Chianti. The wine shows seamless integration with bright fruit pitted against warmer tones of leather and tobacco. It’s like a perfectly balanced scale with rich intensity on one side and elegant fruit on the other. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025.”
91 Pointz Wine Enthusiast
“Made from organic grapes, this succulent wine delivers balsamic aromas and juicy black cherry flavors layered with cinnamon and white pepper. It’s radiant and structured, with big round tannins and edgy acidity. Drink 2015–2025.”