2008 Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo Gran Selezione
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Tasting notes
What a beautiful surprise. The Fontodi 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo comes from the proverbial sleeper vintage that is hot-trotting it today with gangbuster results. This is a savory, almost full-bodied expression with ample doses of fruit sweetness and tertiary or savory characteristics that are carefully interwoven and integrated. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and rich with a creamy, fleshy finish. Dark fruit, cigar ash and scorched earth emerge from the glass. Aromatically, this wine has less of the mineral signature that we see in the newer vintages, and this could be explained by the fact that a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon was added to the blend back in 2008. This underlines an important stylistic shift in the timeline of Vigna del Sorbo (that would later go from Riserva status to Gran Selezione). Overall, this wine is most impressive in terms of mouthfeel, and I'm betting that it will hold for an additional 10 years, if not more.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark cherry, plum, graphite and savory herb notes flesh out in the 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo. Here the greater presence of Cabernet Sauvignon versus the earlier vintages in the tasting is clearly felt in the wine's structure, depth and pure power. Cassis, mint and layers of black fruit inform the finish. The 2008 is going to require a few more years in bottle but it is striking, even today. Over the last two years, the 2008 has developed beautifully. The fruit has begun to blossom, giving the 2008 a sense of mid-palate pliancy that was missing when the wine was first released.
Greve in Chianti. 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Concentrated ruby just beginning to show some age. Ethereal and slightly dusty. Richly extracted with a good pinch of acidity. Stalky persistent tannin. This will need some time to shed its youthful fruit. (WS)
The 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo is beautiful in this vintage. It shows gorgeous mid-palate depth and pliancy, with wonderful richness in its sweet dark fruit, smoke, licorice and grilled herbs. The 10% Cabernet Sauvignon works particularly well in this vintage, as it seems to give the wine a measure of depth and delineation that is less obvious in the Flaccianello. Higher toned floral notes add lift on the finish. The Vigna del Sorbo is a touch restrained 2008, as are most wines, yet is shows fabulous balance and tons of personality.
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.