2016 Chianti Classico Riserva

I have had many memorable tastings at Fèlsina over the years, but my most recent visit was especially of note, as I tasted an extensive vertical of Fontalloro for an upcoming article. As for the current releases, they are terrific. Fèlsina excels with bold Sangioveses that show the wilder side of the variety typical of Castelnuovo Berardenga, which lies at the southern end of the Chianti Classico apellation, just a few kilometers from Siena, which can be seen from the vineyards on a clear day. Fèlsina is of course best know for their flagship Chianti Classico Rancia, which is one of the world's most distinctive wines. For my money, though, the real standout in this range when it comes to quality and for the price is the Chianti Classico Riserva, which is a mini-Rancia of sorts that opens a bit earlier in bottle but that can also age. Readers should also take a look at the wines of Fèlsina's sister properties, Castello di Farnetella and Pagliarese, which are reviewed here separately.

My visit to Fèlsina was one of the many highlights of my most recent trip to Chianti Classico. I tasted a wide range of wines with Giuseppe Mazzocolin and Giovanni Poggiali. Even after a long day, it was frankly hard to leave the tasting room. The wines were every bit that compelling. The estate's 2016s and 2015s are simply magnificent. Readers will get a very good sense of the elegance of 2016 and the power of the 2015s with this range. While it is certainly tempting to focus on the flagships, both the Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva are fabulous choices for readers looking for ageworthy wines that are affordable, something that has always been a strong suit at Fèlsina, where prices remain exceedingly fair. More than anything else, though, Fèlsina represents all the best values of Chianti Classico and its wines.