Winemaker Notes
Pair with spiced roast meats, stewed game, aged cheeses, mushrooms and truffles.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Linear and tight yet it opens on the palate to ripe raspberry and strawberry character. Medium body, firm, silky and fresh finish. Fascinating blend made from a head-pruned, high density vineyard.
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Wine Enthusiast
Made entirely from Sangiovese, this polished red opens with aromas of red berry, violet, sunbaked earth and a whiff of thyme. Structured and smooth, the palate delivers juicy red cherry, cinnamon and clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2023.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mazzei's 2012 Mix 36 is a very expressive rendition of Sangiovese that shows a level of complexity that would be difficult to achieve if this wine were made with a single clone. There are many, mixed berry tones that range from cherry to blueberry and the wine reveals pretty layers of spice, toasted almond and tobacco. Most of the vines in this experimental vineyard are now 15-years-old. This means they are entering the height of their best production years.
Established in 1435, the Mazzei family is one of Tuscany’s oldest wine dynasties and they have been cultivating vineyards and crafting fine wine for over 600 years in Fonterutoli in the heart of Chianti Classico. Leading the portfolio today are the Marchesi Mazzei, brothers Francesco and Filippo, as well as Filippo’s son Giovanni, the 25th generation. Notable ancestors include Ser Lapo Mazzei, author of the first known document (1398) using Chianti to reference the wine and region and Philip, an Italian turned American patriot whose friendship and correspondence with Thomas Jefferson inspired the idea that “all men are by nature equally free and independent,” which influenced the Declaration of Independence.
While the family has always honored their legacy, producing acclaimed wines of extraordinary aromatic richness, balance and complexity, they are also leaders in viticulture and vinification. The winery’s vineyards cover 110 hectares across 7 sub-zones of Chianti Classico featuring different soils, altitudes (720-1870 feet) and micro-climates. All their vineyards are farmed with customized organic practices that focus on soil health, preservation of biodiversity, reduction of copper use, and absorbing 5x more CO2 than is expressed out; a true commitment to reducing environmental impact and fostering sustainability. From their state-of-the-art low-impact, gravity fed cellar to their massal selections and clonal research, the current generation pursues innovation that elevates their wines and protects their ecosystem. This balance of preservation and evolution is also found in the family’s estates in Maremma (Belguardo) and Sicily (Zisola).
Legendary in Italy for its Renaissance art and striking landscape, Tuscany is also home to many of the country’s best red wines. Sangiovese reigns supreme here, as either the single varietal, or a dominant player, in almost all of Tuscany’s best.
A remarkable Chianti, named for its region of origin, will have a bright acidity, supple tannins and plenty of cherry fruit character. From the hills and valleys surrounding the medieval village of Montalcino, come the distinguished and age-worthy wines based on Brunello (Sangiovese). Earning global acclaim since the 1970s, the Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and Sangiovese. The wine called Vine Nobile di Montepulciano, composed of Prognolo Gentile (Sangiovese) and is recognized both for finesse and power.