A Historic RISERVA Star Is Reborn as a GRAN SELEZIONE from the Single Greatest Vintage In 25 Years?

DEBUT: The Historic RISERVA Star Is Reborn as a GRAN SELEZIONE In "The Single Greatest Vintage" In 25 Years? Discover the New Icon That “True Connoisseurs of Sangiovese” Should Take Note – from “One of the Great Estates in the World.” Best Pricing – 48 Hours Only.

“Fèlsina is one of the great estates in the world. It's as simple as that… More than anything else, though, Fèlsina represents all the best values of Chianti Classico…

“Two thousand twenty-one is the single greatest young vintage I have ever tasted in Chianti Classico. Period. Full stop.. The 2021s, in particular, are some of the most exciting young wines I have tasted in more than 25 years of visiting the region. This is a historic vintage!...The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the first vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione…The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all finely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb.”  - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

As you know by now, whenever we see key selections from the 2021 vintage in Tuscany – we move quickly in securing what we can from the quickly disappearing year. In our opinion, it is one of the vintages of our lifetime. Why, because 2021, like 2010, 2013, and 2016, is a classic year built on harmony and a more balanced growing season, where the wines express rich fruit and depth, but with more finesse and elegance than years like 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, and 2019. There is awesome acidity and freshness here from cooler conditions and a longer growing season that is simply awesome – the aromatics alone transport you to Tuscany and get you excited about the promise these wines have to offer.  Galloni has already called it the "single greatest young vintage I have ever tasted in Chianti Classico...the most exciting young wines I have tasted in more than 25 years of visiting the region." And with past Sangiovese based offerings of 2021 I Sodi, Le Pergole Torte, let alone Tignanello, how can we match these benchmark expressions of Sangiovese from the Tuscan hills? 

The short answer is Fèlsina – but this time it is not just the flagship Fontalloro, it is the stunning 2021 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia! Wait scratch that, it is no longer called a Riserva, the wine has technically been upgraded, and is now the 2021 Fèlsina Chianti Classico GRAN SELEZIONE. We had the wine this past week and it is another electrifying expression of the noble Sangiovese from the near perfect vintage. We are not alone, Antonio Galloni preached, “The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the first vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione…The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all finely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb.” Many more have echoed this sentiment, critics to collectors, and these are arguably the finest releases from Felsina and Chianti alongside the 2016s – and 2020 in our opinion.  It is a scenario where we completely agree with all the reviews and statements glorifying this wine and vintage. 

In the case of Felsina, few wines have captured such attention at these price points than the 2021 releases. For IWM, these are all explosive expressions that can be enjoyed by both the ardent Tuscan connoisseur and the Burgundy enthusiast, each has various characteristics that highlight freshness, minerality and ample red fruit, while retaining its true sense of place and varietal. Don’t miss this last chance to grab this iconic Tuscan at some of the best pricing in the country. In true IWM fashion we are including the 2021 Fèlsina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione with some good company that you will want to load up if you have not already, as few wines delivers such value and longevity.

FEATURED WINES: Fèlsina Gran Selezione Rancia and Fontalloro

*indicates pre-arrival

If you love Italian wine, you know that Fattoria di Fèlsina has long been one of the beloved names in Tuscan wine. It is here in the prized hamlet of Castelnuovo Berardegna, just thirty miles outside of Montalcino, Giuseppe Mazzocolin, Giovanni Poggiali, and longtime winemaker Franco Bernabei produce one of the finest ranges of age-worthy and complex Chianti and Sangiovese bottlings. What makes this estate unique among many of the region’s producers is their dedication to terroir and use of indigenous grape varietals. While many of their neighbors’ blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in their Chianti, Fèlsina remains traditionalists to the core. Their Riserva Vigna Rancia is widely regarded as the finest Chianti alongside Fontodi’s Vigna del Sorbo and Castello di Ama’s Bellavista. However, like Fontodi’s Flaccianello, the flagship Fontalloro is one of those monovarietal Super Tuscans that represents the pinnacle of Sangiovese and challenge Brunello di Montalcino – burlier and wilder, whereas the Riserva Rancia is more ethereal and precise.

ADDITIONAL NOTES & REVIEWS

“….While it is certainly tempting to focus on the flagships, both the Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva are fabulous choices for readers looking for ageworthy wines that are affordable, something that has always been a strong suit at Fèlsina, where prices remain exceedingly fair. More than anything else, though, Fèlsina represents all the best values of Chianti Classico and its wines.” -Antonio Galloni

2021 FELSINA CHIANTI CLASSICO GRAN SELEZIONE RANCIA
Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “No doubt it, 2021 offers an explosive Fonalloro! But 2021 might be remembered as the year of the Riserva RANCIA at this fabled Tuscan address - or we should now say, Chianti Classico Rancia GRAN SELEZIONE. We were once again floored by the more ethereal and precise 2021 Rancia – easily one of finest expressions of Sangiovese from this exceptional vintage. Yes, the Fontalloro picks up right where Rancia leaves off, adding a little more volume in density and immediacy, but this is a year of finesse. Simply, an intoxicating nose that keeps you attached to the glass. On the palate, the Rancia has succulent red fruit highlighted by Bing cherries, black cherries, wild berries, nuances of red licorice, baking spice, tobacco, sandalwood, baked earth, tea leaf, crushed flowers, and awesome minerality and salinity that echo on the back of the palate and linger for a long finish. As always, one of the best favors I can do for someone that loves Italian wine is to emphatically recommend the wines of Fèlsina. A whole lot deliciousness now, but there are some tannins that need to soften and the best is yet to come. This Italy's answer to Burgundy - In two words – CLASSIC and PURE."

Antonio Galloni, Vinous: “The 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia is the first vintage in which Rancia moves from Riserva to Gran Selezione…The 2021 marries power and finesse in the way only Rancia can. Black cherry, leather, game, spice, licorice, tobacco and grilled herbs are all finely knit in a brooding yet elegant Gran Selezione that delivers the goods. Superb…My recent visit to Fèlsina was one of the highlights of the two weeks I spent in Chianti Classico in June 2024. The 2021s are fabulous wines that capture all the best the vintage has to offer. The wines are incredibly distinctive, archetypes of Castelnuovo Berardenga, the sort of wines that will delight readers who enjoy Chianti Classico in all its guises…More than anything else, though, I was delighted to see the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia, the estate’s flagship, back to its customary level of excellence…"

Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: “This energetic red is infused with cherry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors, all framed by vibrant acidity and powdery tannins. Though a bit dry on the finish, this is super long, picking up mineral and tobacco accents. Just needs time. Best from 2026 through 2045…"

Monica Lartner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Now upgraded to Gran Selezione status, the Fèlsina 2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia shows a dark fruit profile with blackcurrants and wild plum. Those black and purple fruits cede to mineral notes of crushed slate or iron ore. The finish is dusty and dry because those mineral notes are reinforced by powdery tannins"

2021 FELSINA FONTALLORO CHIANTI CLASSICO

Kerin O'Keefe: "Alluring aromas of dark exotic spice, black-skinned berry, violet and juniper waft out of the glass on the gorgeous 2021 Fontalloro. Elegant and structured, the chiseled palate is incredibly focused, delivering ripe Morello cherry, cassis, star anise and cake spice alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it beautifully balanced and energized. While it’s tempting now, this is still in its infancy..."

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Fèlsina 2021 Fontalloro reveals an elegant bouquet with a streamlined character that delivers good intensity but never goes overboard. In fact, this vintage might be a little thinner than I remember past vintages being. But Sangiovese wears this slender style well and delivers lots of wild cherry and forest berry nuances along the way. You also get soft mineral tones and earthy iris root. This bottle should develop nicely with aging time in the cellar."

Wine Enthusiast: "The nose has classic, delicate aromas of cherries, wild strawberry, blood orange, top soil and sage. On the palate, darker berries and more cherries contrast with a deeply earthy, bitter bite of citrus pith, while lithe acid flows past unifying tannins that are precise, but with a chalky toothiness."

 This is an email ONLY offer! If you would like to take advantage of this offer that is only available until 11:59pm, February 14th. We are asking that you email orders back to me at 

chris.deas@italianwinemerchants.com, connect with your portfolio manager or mention receipt of this offer if calling the store. All orders are subject to confirmation. IWM is not responsible for typographical errors.

All my best,

Chris