2015 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo
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Tasting notes
Fontodi own a total of 107 ha of vines, all in Panzano plus Lamole, including 30 ha of old vines. The Pastrolo Gran Selezione from Lamole is Giovanni Manetti’s own wine, cf Filetta di Lamole which is a joint venture with his cousin. 1985 was the first vintage of this wine. 100% Sangiovese from a parcel close to the cellar facing south-west on schist. 50-to 62-year-old vines. Dark shaded ruby. Really intense and fascinating nose. Lovely round tannins and such freshness, too. 2016 may be more fashionable than 2015 but Giovanni Manetti points out that they are very similar vintages. Quite enough acidity and very long. (JR)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Del Sorbo ratchets up the concentrated richness and the sheer amount of material over the base Chianti Classico. Made from 100% Sangiovese, it’s still not opaque in color but packs an incredible intensity in its black cherry liqueur, new leather, truffle, tobacco leaf, and liquid rock-like minerality. Sangiovese on steroids, yet flawlessly balanced, with loads of ripe tannins balanced by rock-solid acidity and beautiful purity of fruit, this magical Chianti is one for the ages. I love it today with all its baby fat and opulence, yet it’s going to benefit from a solid 4-6 years of bottle age, and I suspect it will evolve for 30 years or more. It’s that good.
The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is flat-out stunning. Rich, ample and seductive, with tremendous intensity, the 2015 will go down as one of the truly epic wines of the year. All the elements come together in a deep, sensual Chianti Classico loaded with class and personality. I would give the 2015 at least a few years in the cellar to shed some baby fat, but it is very clearly a tremendous wine in the making, and even more impressive than it was last year. Wow!
Panzano – Greve in Chianti. 100% Sangiovese. Lustrous deep ruby. Very closed and brooding. Bags of ripe fruit on the palate, but spectacularly balanced. Huge focus as well as concentration. One for the cellar. (WS)
About the producer
Based just outside Panzano-in-Chianti, Chianti Classico estate Fontodi was acquired by the Manettis in 1968, a family which has established its modern reputation. Today the leading property is best known for its Flaccianello delle Pieve, the pure Sangiovese Super Tuscan first made in 1981.