Deep ruby color; black cherry, raspberry, cranberry, plum, strawberry, earth, oak, leather, violets, rose petals on the nose and palate.
Dry; subtle, polished tannins; crisp, tight acidity (6.0 g/L). Medium body. The 2021 vintage saw a mild, dry winter. Germination occurred at the end of March, but the nights of April 8 and 9 saw freezing temperatures, significantly reducing production. Spring saw abundant rains, allowing the vines to endure a long, hot summer. As often happens with winemaking, the difficulties reduced yield but increased quality. Grapes are mostly sangiovese (at least 80%, aided by 10% each of colorino and pugnitello). Fermented 8-10 days on the skins, followed by malolactic fermentation/conversion in stainless steel. Aged in large Slavonian oak casks 10-12 months, followed by two months in bottle before release. 13% ABV
San Felice includes three famous Tuscany estates. Production reaches more than one million bottles—more than one million of Chianti, 80,000 of Brunello, 40,000 of Rosso de Montalcino, and 55,000 if Bolgheri. There are 16 labels, including this one. All San Felice wines are made using estate-owned grapes. The San Felice territory is just south of Florence, while the other two are south of Siena.
The San Felice winery is located in the heart of Tuscany and has a history dating back centuries. The estate is named for an early Christian saint and originally was owned by the Grisaldi del Taja family. That family was important in the formation of the Chianti Classico consortium, a key group in the history of Italian wine.
Enzo Morganti, a visionary winemaker who spent two decades researching sangiovese clones, purchased the estate in 1968. Morganti focused on high-quality winemaking and re-structuring the estate. In addition to refining sangiovese, he also help resurrect pugnitello, a forgotten grape, that became an iconic element in the estates wines, including this one.
San Felice is a leader in sustainable viticulture, moving toward regenerative and organic agriculture. The winery is self-sufficient in energy with solar panels and has reduced the weight of its bottles to minimize carbon emissions. Today, the estate includes a 1,853-acre resort that includes 445 acres of vineyards and a 44-acre parcel dedicated to experimental viticulture. It is a key winery in the Chianti Classico region.
The Chianti region is noted for rolling green hills and picturesque Roman ruins. Classico wines refer to a specific growing area heralded by a distinctive black rooster on the neck of the bottle. BTW, Hannibal Lector was correct, Chianti and fava beans are a good pairing. Pass on the meat if you are his dinner guest.
San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG 2021 delivers rich red fruit flavors, touches all the Chianti Classico bases. Easy drinker, if you enjoy dark fruits and substance. Faint of palate may struggle some, as they do with any Chianti. Great pizza wine. Excellent QPR (quality-to-price ratio). Slurp away Italian red wine lovers. Pair with hearty beef—grilled steaks, barbecue, beef tenderloin. Veal. Lamb chops. Pork—roasted pork, barbecue pork, pulled pork, roasted pork loin, sausage. Poultry—roasted chicken with herbs, duck. Tomato-based pasta dishes—spaghetti Bolognese, penne arrabbiata, mushroom risotto, truffle-infused pasta. Antipasti—prosciutto, salami. Pizza. Swordfish with tomatoes, mushrooms, and peppers. Roasted vegetables—eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper. Cheese—parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino, aged cheddar, gouda, mozzarella, burrata. $20-23
