This 470 hectare estate is located northeast of Siena, in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga on the southern border of the Chianti Classico production area. Fèlsina epitomises the powerful style of southern Chianti, where the wines are stylistically more akin to those from Montalcino than their fellow Chianti from Fontodi or Isole e Olena. Giuseppe Mazzocolin ran the estate from the end of the 1970s until 2011. He is now less involved in the day-to-day management, while consultant oenologist Franco Bernabei is still very much at the helm of the winemaking team. Their barrel-fermented Chardonnay ‘I Sistri’ is made from 60% free-run must and combines a ripe, buttery nose with a touch of tropical fruit on the palate, while maintaining a fresh finish. The Fèlsina Chianti Classico is fresh and vibrant with remarkable elegance. ‘Rancia’ is a six hectare Sangiovese vineyard on sandstone, chalk and galestro soils. The wine is aged for 18 – 20 months in oak and is concentrated yet elegant with black and red berry fruit and a fine character. The ‘Fontalloro’ is made solely from Sangiovese grapes grown on three vineyards, two of which sit just outside the Classico border. It has a powerful structure and great concentration of tannins. The Gran Selezione ‘Colonia’ is made from Sangiovese grapes grown on a vineyard that was finally replanted in 1993, after many years of extremely hard work on this difficult but rewarding site. Aged for 30 months in French oak and only produced in very small quantities, it displays a unique complexity and intensity which justifies its position at the apex of premium Chianti Classico wines. The 2018 vintage in Chianti was cooler than average and this was a welcome relief for the vines after the heat of the 2017 vintage. Fine weather during spring resulted in excellent conditions for flowering and fruit set. The grapes underwent a problem-free, slow ripening during the mild summer and were harvested with great intensity of flavour, balanced by a vibrant acidity. Deep straw yellow, I Sistri has a classic ripe-fruit Chardonnay nose, with a blend of tropical fruit and vanilla and appealing notes of spice. It displays elegant structure with a fresh acidity and a superb finish.