Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia 2019

Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia 2019

 

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Felsina Berardenga
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia 2019
  • Vintage : 2019
  • Country : Italy
  • Region : Tuscany (Chianti Classico)
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Deep Full Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Sangiovese

Colonia Gran Selezione is a limited-edition Chianti Classico from Fèlsina, crafted for true Sangiovese connoisseurs with intensity, elegance, and depth.

Experts Score Vintage
WS Wine Spectator 96 2019
RP Robert Parker 95 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 94 2019
JS James Suckling 94 2019
DCT Decanter 93 2019
JR Jancis Robinson 17.5 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Colonia Gran Selezione is sourced exclusively from the Colonia vineyard, which holds symbolic significance for the Poggiali family. Situated at the highest elevation on Poggio a Rancia and surrounded by woodlands, the vineyard’s medium-textured soils are composed of reddish-brown alberese sandstone and calcareous marl enriched with magnesium and iron. This unique soil composition is distinct within the Fèlsina estate, lending the wine intense minerality and structure.

The vineyard’s replanting began in 1966 by Domenico Poggiali and his son Giuseppe, though rocky soils and challenging conditions delayed its completion until 1993. Colonia has been cultivated for only the finest Sangiovese, with a density of 5,435 vines per hectare. Today, the vineyard symbolizes three generations of dedication, with its first official vintage released in 2006, bearing Giovanni Poggiali’s tribute to his grandfather Domenico.

Winemaking

Colonia Gran Selezione is made with meticulous care. The hand-harvested Sangiovese grapes undergo rigorous quality selection before destemming and pressing. Fermentation and maceration take place in stainless steel for 16-20 days at controlled temperatures of 28-30°C, with scheduled punchdowns and daily pump-overs for balanced extraction.

In March or April, the wine is transferred to new French oak barrels for a maturation period of 30 months. This prolonged aging enhances the wine’s depth and complexity, integrating powerful tannins with a smooth texture. After barrel aging, the wine is bottled and ages an additional 8-12 months in glass, ensuring harmony and refinement before release.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Intense ruby red.
  • Aroma: Spicy with earthy and mineral nuances, tobacco, and appealing wild berry notes.
  • Palate: Bold, with firm tannins essential for aging. The palate reveals concentrated flavors characteristic of the Fèlsina and Poggio a Rancia terroir, marked by minerality and finesse.

Did you know?

The Colonia vineyard is a tribute to three generations of the Poggiali family and the challenges they overcame to cultivate this unique plot. Named after a sun-treatment colony that once existed here, Colonia represents Fèlsina’s resilience and dedication to preserving Chianti’s heritage. Only 3,000 bottles are produced, each bearing a special dedication by Giovanni Poggiali to his grandfather Domenico.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Wild boar stew: The rich, earthy flavors of wild boar pair seamlessly with Colonia’s structured tannins and spicy undertones.
  • Aged Tuscan pecorino: The wine’s minerality and firm tannic structure balance the intensity and saltiness of pecorino cheese.
  • Roasted duck with herbs: The herbal notes in roasted duck complement the wine’s spicy and berry aromas, creating a harmonious pairing.
  • Porcini mushroom risotto: The minerality of Colonia enhances the earthy, umami-rich flavors of porcini mushrooms.

History of Fèlsina Estate

Fèlsina’s roots trace back to the ancient Etruscans, who recognized the land’s agricultural potential and introduced grapevines and olive trees to the region. Nestled in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina served as a vital stop along the Via Francigena, offering hospitality to travelers and pilgrims during the Middle Ages.

By 1966, Domenico Poggiali acquired the estate, immediately realizing the potential of its rich soils and ideal location. Together with his son Giuseppe, he expanded and modernized the vineyards, growing Fèlsina into a prestigious wine estate while preserving its local traditions and heritage.

In the late 1970s, Domenico’s son-in-law Giuseppe Mazzocolin joined the business, bringing his humanistic perspective and dedication to Tuscan culture. His collaboration with renowned oenologist Franco Bernabei launched a transformative period for Fèlsina, marked by iconic wines like Fontalloro and Rancia. This era also saw deep investment in Sangiovese, establishing Fèlsina’s reputation for quality and authenticity.

Region and Vineyards

Fèlsina is located at the southeastern edge of the Chianti Classico zone, near the Crete Senesi. Its vineyards span approximately 90 hectares out of a total 500-hectare estate, set between 350 and 420 meters above sea level. This location, where rocky-calcareous soils meet clay and mineral-rich sediment, is unique, providing varied microclimates and soil compositions that bring complexity and distinctiveness to the wines. The vineyards at Poggio a Rancia, Ruzzatoio, Terrarossa, and Santa Maria represent Fèlsina’s signature terroirs, each contributing its unique characteristics to the Sangiovese grape.

Fèlsina has pioneered massal selection in Chianti since 1983, preserving genetic diversity within Sangiovese, which is vital to the estate’s identity and quality. The estate also conducts ongoing research on soil and climate to ensure sustainable and authentic winemaking.

Wine Range

Fèlsina produces a diverse range of wines, with Sangiovese as its flagship grape. Key wines include:

  • Fontalloro: A 100% Sangiovese blend sourced from vineyards straddling Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi, capturing Fèlsina’s commitment to terroir and variety.
  • Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva: Made from the Rancia vineyard, this single-vineyard Sangiovese exemplifies Chianti’s potential with its structure and aging capability.
  • Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva: These wines represent the heart of Fèlsina, with Sangiovese from various parcels showcasing depth, finesse, and typicity.
  • Maestro Raro: A unique expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, blending tradition with experimentation, reflecting Fèlsina’s adaptability and pursuit of excellence.
  • Vin Santo del Chianti Classico: Crafted from partially dried Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Sangiovese grapes, this dessert wine embodies the estate’s respect for Tuscan tradition.

Did you know?

Fèlsina’s dedication to quality extends beyond wine to olive oil production. The estate has preserved ancient olive varieties and developed unique growing areas to produce single-grove oils, including cultivars such as Leccino, Moraiolo, and Pendolino. This commitment to terroir mirrors Fèlsina’s philosophy in winemaking, highlighting its role as a comprehensive steward of Tuscan agriculture.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 96 Points (2019)
A racy style defined by black cherry, blackberry, black currant, Tuscan scrub and mineral aromas and flavors, this red is linear and well-delineated. Like a thoroughbred, this has latent energy and is ready to run, given time to align all its components. Shows a stony, mineral aftertaste. (BS) (10/2023)

Robert Parker (RP) : 95 Points (2019)
The Fèlsina 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a special wine. This vintage was a little tight and closed when I tasted it, but Colonia has a solid track record for a long bottle evolution. The bouquet brings dark fruit, rosemary, cherry and an especially sharp or chiseled mineral note that really is this wine's lasting signature. There are additional mineral hints of iron ore and rust with dried tomato, garden aromas, leafy greens and button mushroom. In all, this wine shows a very savory or autumnal edge over an elegant, mid-weight texture. (ML) (2/2023)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 94 Points (2019)
The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia is a bit marked by oak today, but behind that lies a wine of striking purity, depth and freshness. Dark red-fleshed fruit, crushed rocks, white pepper, spice and blood orange are some of the notes that meld together. There's a beautiful, layered wine waiting to emerge here. (AG) 94+ (6/2022)

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2019)
Intense nose of wild blueberries, dried cherries, mint, roasted espresso and toffee. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a firm tannin frame. Structured and polished. Dense, toasty and compact for now. (7/2022)

Decanter (DCT) : 93 Points (2019)
Floral aromas, on the palate the wine shows juicy red fruit with fresh zesty acidity. The tannins are balanced giving structure and there's an understated note of oak. Elegant. (Panel tasting) (3/2023)

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 17.5 Points (2019)
Mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Rusty nail, sweet raspberry and just a suggestion of oak. Supple, elegant raspberry fruit with a pinch of oak on the palate and bags of earthy-tasting, fine tannins. Very long and precise and gaining in depth on the finish. 17.5/20 points (WS) (2/2023)

Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro 2020
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro 2020
Felsina Berardenga
Fontalloro 2020
WS
95
RP
96
VN
94
Fontalloro is a quintessential Sangiovese from Fèlsina, embodying the strength, elegance, and depth of Tuscany’s terroir.
67,00 €
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Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico 2021
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Chianti Classico 2021
WS
91
RP
91
JS
93
This wine is fruit-driven and structured, with refined tannins and a spicy complexity that embodies the Fèlsina estate’s renowned quality.
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Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Rancia Riserva 2019
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DCT
91
VN
91
JS
95
Rancia Riserva from Fèlsina is an exceptional single-vineyard Chianti Classico that captures the elegance, intensity, and complexity of Sangiovese in the Chianti region.
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