2006 Felsina - Fontalloro Sangiovese - Italy - Tuscany - Red

I last tasted the 2004 vintage, which was very full bodied. This one not so much. It has plums,loam and a very earthy flavor but with a very medium body. Finishes nicely though with good depth. Definitely needs food and not a stand alone wine.

The 2006 Fontalloro is much more sweet and open than the firmer Rancia. Enticing, expressive aromatics lead to an expansive core of fruit. Round, finessed tannins give the wine an additional level of polish. Today the Fontalloro is fleshier and more ready than the Rancia. There is superb purity to the fruit and wonderful overall balance. Tar, smoke, licorice, and grilled herbs come to life on the finish. Fontalloro is made from vineyards in both the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi appellations. Simply put, this is a great, majestic Fontalloro. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. If you were to cut proprietor Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s veins the man would bleed Sangiovese, such is his passion for Tuscany’s most important native grape. Mazzocolin has a terrific set of new releases on his hands. The 2006s are glorious and benefit from a warm growing season that also saw good alternation of day and evening temperatures before the grapes got a final kick of heat that informs the wines. In 2007, I have only tasted the Chianti Classico so far, but if that wine is indicative, Felsina could have another superb vintage in store for fans of this venerable property. So far 2007 looks to be a vintage of ripe wines made in a more generous, if early maturing style, than the firmer 2006s. Not only are Felsin's wines magnificent, they also remain exceedingly fairly priced in relative terms. Mazzocolin deserves much credit and support from readers for his consumer-friendly approach, especially in these challenging times. ANTONIO GALLONI

Inky in color with dark fruit and some minerality aromas on the nose. Well structured mouth-feel with deep licorice, pepper and figs on the palate. Well integrated tannins. This was tasted next to a chianti classico and the differences were immense, next to this the chianti seemed languid and flat. Great value.