2019 Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
A saturated red color, the 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Del Sorbo is all Sangiovese aged for two years in French oak barrels. Sunny and pure, it reveals layers of wild black cherries, wet stones, a hint of saddle leather, and lifted anise. Medium to full-bodied, it floats across the palate with ease, with mouthwatering and seamless acidity that is brighter here than in the Flaccionello, with ripe tannins and a long finish. It is a stunning wine that is going to only improve with time in a proper cellar. Drink 2026-2046. A hallmark estate in the village of Panzano, the Fontodi estate has been run by the Manetti family since 1968. Specifically, it sits in what is known as the “Conca d’Oro” or “the golden shell,” a natural south-facing amphitheater capturing sunlight on its calcareous and schist-based soils and vines. Their certified organic vines have approximately 70 hectares under vine across the 130-hectare estate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
This iconic wine has all new energy, as it is now part of an exciting set of potential Gran Selezione wines made at Fontodi. Two new portfolio additions (Pastrolo from cool climate Lamole and Terrazze San Leonlino from Panzano) help to give greater context to the organic 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo. This wine of course benefits from many years of experience, and the Vigna del Sorbo identity is well established. But soil geeks will absolutely enjoy comparing Vigna del Sorbo from schistous galestro soils to the limestone alternative found in Terrazze San Leonlino. I tend to lean toward Vigna del Sorbo thanks to those etched mineral notes of pencil shaving and iron ore that I find so appealing. Those dusty notes are amply rounded off by sweet cherry fruit, plum and spice. Rising alcohol can be a problem in sun-drenched Panzano, and the winey team is leaving taller growth on the vines in the summer to cast shade and taking other active measures to combat this issue.
The 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a potent, virile wine endowed with tremendous depth and equally imposing tannins. A blast of dark fruit, herbs, chocolate, menthol and spice races out of the glass. Large-scaled tannins and hints of rusticity suggest the 2019 won’t be one of the most finessed Sorbos, but it is a fine effort for the year.
Panzano. 100% Sangiovese. Certified organic. Mid to deep ruby. Savoury, minerally, elegant and a little understated on the nose. Deep succulent cherry fruit supported by the right dose of chewy tannins. Very long. Concentrated, tangy and composed all at the same time. (WS)
About the producer
Based just outside Panzano-in-Chianti, Chianti Classico estate Fontodi was acquired by the Manettis in 1968, a family which has established its modern reputation. Today the leading property is best known for its Flaccianello delle Pieve, the pure Sangiovese Super Tuscan first made in 1981.