2003 Chianti Classico Riserva

My visit with Giuseppe Mazzocolin at Felsina was another highlight of a recent trip to the region. Felsina is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, a part of the Chianti Classico zone that straddles the border between the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi appellations. Even though Castelnuovo is regarded as the warmest of the Chianti Classico microclimates, the Felsina 2003s are among the freshest wines of the vintage. “It's always hot here,” explains Mazzocolin. “The vines are used to the heat, so even though 2003 was very hot, those conditions probably came as less of a shock to our vines than was the case in other sub-zones.” Mazzocolin is passionate about Sangiovese, which he uses exclusively for all of his Chiantis. From top to bottom this is a very high-class set of wines.