Fattoria di Fèlsina has long been one of the great names in Tuscany. Based in the Chianti Classico region, Fèlsina produces one of the finest ranges of ageworthy and complex Chianti bottlings in all of Italy. Unlike many of their neighbors, Fèlsina has never succumbed to the temptation to produce new world style wines and continues to grow solely Sangiovese, rather than dabble with international-styled blends that include Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Consequently, their elegant yet intensely flavored Chiantis place them firmly among the top handful of Chianti producers, with the best vintages of their top Riserva Chiantis often approaching Brunello di Montalcino in terms of complexity and potential for longevity.
 
Among the ‘innovations’ practiced for the Chianti bottlings at Fattoria di Fèlsina these days is a profound respect for the Tuscan traditions of yesterday, and which are sadly in such short supply at so many neighboring estates. At Fèlsina it is widely recognized that the fame of Tuscan wines is based historically on the compelling character of wines produced primarily from Sangiovese, and the estate continues to champion this great varietal using only old “massale” selections (propagating the vineyard from multiple, local vines rather than a single clone) cultivated from cuttings from their top old vineyards. The vineyards are farmed organically and the average age of the Sangiovese vines at Fèlsina is remarkably old, in excess of fifty years.
 
The style of the Fèlsina wines is deep and black fruity, with classic Tuscan spices married to fine expressions of soil, smoky tones and a deft touch of new oak. They will often have a bit of tannin in their youths, though always well-integrated into the body of the wine. As Sangiovese is much more adept at picking up the underlying soil nuances of the vineyard than either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, the various Fèlsina Chianti bottlings are among the most classic expressions of Tuscan wine to be found in the market today. Delicious upon release, the wines of Fèlsina reach their apogee with several years of bottle age and are as fine examples as one can hope to find of great,
classic Tuscan reds.
 
 
Felsina Chianti Classico Rancia Riserva 2016
Retail Price: $54.99
Sale Price: $49.97
 
Decanter, 97 pts. – “The south-facing Rancia vineyard reaches altitudes of 420 metres, overlooking the lower-lying vineyards of Colli Senesi. It boasts complex soils of calcareous clay layered with the chalky white limestone-like alberese and schistose galestro. This 2016 vintage is simply stunning. It's stately yet gracious, with personality for days, leading with a sumptuous nose of smoke, exotic spice and iron-rich earth. Ripe fruit coats the mouth yet it remains buoyant and tangy as chalky tannins charge in to frame the palate. A seductive wine with an appetising, savoury edge and a long, long life ahead.”
 
Vinous, 94-97+ pts – “The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is yet another magnificent wine in this range from Fèlsina. Silky, gracious and inviting, the 2016 starts off gradually and then builds, gaining volume and explosiveness with air. A wine of breadth, textural intensity and pure power, the 2016 Rancia is shaping up to be epic.” 
 
 
Recent Cellar Selections:
Domaine Saint-Préfert Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017 - 97/100 pts.
Andrew Will – 97 pts. from the Bordeaux of Washington State
Bodegas Mauro – Value ‘Ribera’
Francois Chidaine – Essential and Age-Worthy Chenin Blanc
Domaine Jean Grivot – Benchmark Burgundy
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou – Like a Rolling Stone?
Produttori del Barbaresco 
Paolo Bea Montefalco Rosso – Natural Wine Pioneer
Domaine Trapet – Burgundy Royalty
Gran Enemigo 2014 – 98 pt. Cabernet Franc