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2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico Product Zoom

2006 Fontodi Chianti Classico

SKU #1049126

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Chianti Classico is typically one of the last Chiantis to be bottled, but the 2006 shows all the qualities I encountered when I tasted various lots earlier this year, prior to final assembly and bottling. It is a big, super-ripe Chianti that captures all of the best qualities of the vintage in its super-ripe fruit and beautifully defined aromatics. This is a serious, structured Chianti that can be enjoyed now, but that also has the stuffing to age gracefully for years. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016." (01/09) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Beautiful aromas of rich plum and black cherry follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. Drink now." (10/08) According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Good medium red with a pale rim. A slightly reduced, musky quality dissipate with air to reveal ripe red cherry and raspberry aromas. Enters ripe and soft, showing strong underbrush, ripe red cherry and plum flavors. The moderately long finish features mounting tannins and notes of tobacco and licorice." (Jul/Aug 10)

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Price: $27.99
RP 91 WS 90

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By: Kirk Walker |  K&L Staff Member  |  Review Date: 10/16/2009  | Send Email
This is fantastic Chianti. Rich and dense, but with enough structure to carry it gracefully along the palate. Full of red and dark fruits with savory earthiness, this is Sangiovese at its best. Not a simple pasta wine, think lamb ragu, bistecca fiorentina, roasts... Oh, and it will get better over the next couple years if you can keep your hands off of it!

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Additional Information:

Varietal:

Sangiovese

- The most widely planted grape in Italy is Sangiovese, a high-acid grape with moderate to high tannins, apparent earthiness and subtle fruit. It is thought to have originated in Tuscany and its name, which translates to "blood of Jove," leads historians to believe it may date all the way back to the Etruscan period, though historical mentions only go as far back as the early 1700s. Though planted all over modern Italy, the most significant wines made from Sangiovese still come from Tuscany: Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese must make up 75% of a blend from the Chianti DOCG t be labeled as such, traditionally allowing for Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia for the remainder, though more recently small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot have been allowed. In Brunello di Montalcino the wine must be made entirely of Sangiovese. Prugnolo is Montepulciano's name for Sangiovese, and it is used there for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. In the DOC of Carmignano Sangiovese can be blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also Super Tuscans, IGT wines that blend Sangiovese with large proportions of Cabernet or Merlot. Elsewhere in Italy it is a workhorse grape, though it does find some success (though not the longevity) in the Montefalco and Torgiano wines of Umbria as well as the foundation of Rosso Piceno and a significant element of Rosso Conero from the Marches. Like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese has struggled to find footing outside of Italy, though in recent years California wineries have been having better fortune with grape plantings in the Sierra Foothills/El Dorado County, as well as Sonoma County and the Central Coast.
Country:

Italy

- Once named Enotria for its abundant vineyards, Italy (thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans) has had an enormous impact on the wine world. From the shores of Italy, the Romans brought grapes and their winemaking techniques to North Africa, Spain and Portugal, Germany, France, the Danube Valley, the Middle East and even England. Modern Italy, which didn't actually exist as a country until the 1870s, once produced mainly simple, everyday wine. It wasn't until the 1970s that Italy began the change toward quality. The 1980s showed incredible efforts and a lot of experimentation. The 1990s marked the real jump in consistent quality, including excellence in many Region that had been indistinct for ages. The entire Italian peninsula is seeing a winemaking revolution and is now one of the most exciting wine Region in the world. For our entire Italian wine selection, click here. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of Italy.
Sub-Region:

Tuscany

Specific Appellation:

Chianti

- Chianti is the most famous wine name in Italy is not the name of a grape but actually a region. Chianti lies in the 35 miles of hills between Florence and Siena, a complex geological region as well as geographically. The extraordinary geography makes grape growing a very challenging feat with multiple exposures and soil types on the same estate. The region comprises 9 different communes not dissimilar to Bordeaux wherein each commune has a particular characteristic that shows in the wine. The wine is made predominantly Sangiovese, the grape must comprise at least 80% of the blend. Chianti Classico is the "classic" region, though many other nearby regions now use the name "Chianti" to make similar wines. The "Gallo Nero" or Black Rooster on many of the Chianti Classico bottles is a private consortium of producers who try and control the direction of production and quality amongst their members.