Felsina Chianti Classico

Felsina Chianti Classico is a 100% Sangiovese red wine from Tuscany's Chianti Classico DOCG, bottled at 13–13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Fattoria di Felsina in the southern reaches of the appellation, it has earned consistently strong critical recognition, including 95 points from James Suckling for the 2017 vintage and 94 points from Wine Enthusiast for the 2019 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13–13.5%  |  Origin: Castelnuovo Berardenga, Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy  |  100% Sangiovese  |  Producer: Fattoria di Felsina

Production & Heritage

Fattoria di Felsina is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the southernmost commune of the Chianti Classico zone, where warmer temperatures and distinct soils produce Sangiovese with notable structure and aging potential. The estate has practiced massal selection since 1983, preserving genetic diversity from old Sangiovese vines rather than relying on commercial clones. Grapes are fermented and macerated in stainless steel for 12–15 days at 28–30°C, then aged for 12 months primarily in medium-size Slavonian oak barrels, with a small percentage spending time in twice- and thrice-used French oak — a regimen that prioritizes fruit clarity and terroir expression over oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with woodland berries and ripe red cherry, building into layers of star anise, crushed mint, and a subtle graphite minerality. Dried flower and blossom notes emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is polished, with crushed raspberry and bright cherry fruit leading the way. The mid-palate broadens with baking spice and a savory mineral thread, framed by self-confident but supple tannins that give the wine its signature structure without aggressiveness.

Finish: Medium to long, with fine-grained tannins and lingering notes of cedar and spice. The finish stays fresh and direct, with a clean acidity that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Felsina Chianti Classico

Serve at 60–65°F (16–18°C). Younger vintages benefit from 30–45 minutes of decanting to open up the aromatics and soften the tannins, though well-stored older vintages can be poured directly. This is a food wine at heart — its bright acidity and moderate tannins make it a natural partner for Italian cuisine. Try it alongside bistecca alla fiorentina, where the tannins cut through the richness of grilled beef. It pairs exceptionally well with ragù-based pasta dishes like pappardelle al cinghiale, where the wine's spice notes mirror the sauce. Roasted lamb with rosemary and garlic draws out the herbal and savory undertones in the finish.

Best For

• Building a cellar-worthy Italian wine collection on a reasonable budget
• Pairing with a traditional Tuscan dinner at home
• Gifting to someone who appreciates terroir-driven Sangiovese
• Exploring the differences between Chianti Classico sub-zones and communes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Felsina Chianti Classico taste like? It delivers ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, and baking spice framed by fine-grained tannins and a fresh mineral backbone. The overall impression is polished and elegantly structured, with notable depth for its category.

How does Felsina Chianti Classico compare to Querciabella Chianti Classico? Both are recognized as benchmark, terroir-driven Chianti Classicos made from prime vineyard sites, but they come from different parts of the appellation — Felsina from the warmer south in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Querciabella from the cooler, higher-altitude Greve in Chianti. Felsina typically shows more structure and warmth, while Querciabella tends toward a more floral, lighter-bodied profile.

Is Felsina Chianti Classico good for aging? Yes — its southern Chianti Classico origins and Slavonian oak aging give it a tannic backbone that supports cellaring for 5–8 years in good vintages, though it drinks well on release with appropriate decanting.

Where is Felsina Chianti Classico made? It is produced by Fattoria di Felsina in Castelnuovo Berardenga, the southernmost commune of the Chianti Classico DOCG in Tuscany, Italy.

What foods pair well with Felsina Chianti Classico? Grilled steak or bistecca alla fiorentina, as the tannins balance the fat; wild boar ragù over pappardelle, where the wine's spice echoes the sauce; aged pecorino cheese, which amplifies the savory finish; roasted eggplant parmigiana, pairing acidity with tomato richness; and grilled lamb chops with herbs, drawing out the wine's earthy undertones.

What sizes does Felsina Chianti Classico come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Felsina Chianti Classico worth the price? Felsina Chianti Classico positions as a mid-range expression within the Chianti Classico DOCG category, offering critical scores frequently in the 91–95 range from major publications — strong value relative to its price tier and consistent quality across vintages.

Why Felsina Chianti Classico?

What distinguishes Felsina from dozens of competent Chianti Classico producers is the estate's four-decade commitment to massal selection, preserving old-vine Sangiovese genetics that most estates abandoned in favor of commercial clones. That genetic diversity, combined with the unique warmth and terroir of Castelnuovo Berardenga, gives this wine a depth and structure that frequently outperforms its price tier. Repeated critical recognition — 95 points from James Suckling, 94 from Wine Enthusiast — confirms that this is not a house style built on fashion but on site-specific farming and restrained winemaking. For anyone serious about understanding what southern Chianti Classico Sangiovese tastes like, Felsina remains a defining reference point.