Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Showing enormous precision and direction, the 2020 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo (with 25,000 bottles released) is a generous expression of Sangiovese that boasts singular intensity. This organic wine offers black fruit, grilled rosemary, pressed rose and crushed limestone. All of these aromas enjoy special, forward-moving intensity that dovetails into the ample fruit generosity that this sun-filled vintage will be remembered for.
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Wine Spectator
This red is tightly wound, linear in profile and full of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, fresh loam and mineral flavors, supported by lively acidity and dense, suave tannins that integrate nicely with the tension and silky texture. Shows terrific length.
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Decanter
First produced in 1985, Vigna del Sorbo sits alongside Flaccianello at the apex of Fontodi’s range. It was elevated from Riserva to Gran Selezione with the introduction of the category in 2014. The vineyard extends over eight hectares with the oldest plantings now well over 50 years old. The 2020 is slow to reveal itself – even with coaxing, aromas aren’t completely forthcoming. Eventually, subtle hints of sundried tomato and grilled herbs evolve to darker tones of violet and liquorice. True to its western Panzano origins, the framework is firm and sturdy. Tight with a concentrated core but not overly dense, there's a richness to the tannins. Finishes with savoury black plum and toast.
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James Suckling
Aromas of stems, dried meat, berries and cherries with some dusty earth. The palate is firm and fresh with a brightness and chewiness. It shows some cement and stone texture to it. From organically grown grapes.
Among Italy's elite red grape varieties, Sangiovese has the perfect intersection of bright red fruit and savory earthiness and is responsible for the best red wines of Tuscany. While it is best known as the chief component of Chianti, it is also the main grape in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and reaches the height of its power and intensity in the complex, long-lived Brunello di Montalcino. Somm Secret—Sangiovese doubles under the alias, Nielluccio, on the French island of Corsica where it produces distinctly floral and refreshing reds and rosés.
One of the first wine regions anywhere to be officially recognized and delimited, Chianti Classico is today what was originally defined simply as Chianti. Already identified by the early 18th century as a superior zone, the official name of Chianti was proclaimed upon the area surrounding the townships of Castellina, Radda and Gaiole, just north of Siena, by Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany in an official decree in 1716.
However, by the 1930s the Italian government had appended this historic zone with additonal land in order to capitalize on the Chianti name. It wasn’t until 1996 that Chianti Classico became autonomous once again when the government granted a separate DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) to its borders. Ever since, Chianti Classico considers itself no longer a subzone of Chianti.
Many Classicos are today made of 100% Sangiovese but can include up to 20% of other approved varieties grown within the Classico borders. The best Classicos will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and be full-bodied with plenty of ripe fruit (plums, black cherry, blackberry). Also common among the best Classicos are expressive notes of cedar, dried herbs, fennel, balsamic or tobacco.