Le Fonti Panzano Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG from Fattoria Le Fonti Panzano 

Ruby red in the glass, perfectly matured

The Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG from Le Fonti is always one of the award-winning red wines from the Chianti Classico region. Not least because the Riserva impresses with its elegance and sophistication. The main ingredient of this wine is, of course, Sangiovese grapes - which, like all grapes at Le Fonti, are harvested by hand. Depending on the vintage, the Sangiovese is rounded off with a touch of Merlot and/or Cabernet Sauvignon. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks. In order to support the structure of the wine and thus enable "a long life", it matures for almost two years in French oak barrels - in barriques and tonneaux. Assemblage takes place before the wine is transferred to the barrel, i.e. a very early "marriage". The Riserva then needs a further six to nine months to mature in the bottle before it is released onto the market. In the glass, the Riserva from Le Fonti is a brilliant ruby red and the nose is full of fruit - dark berries and plums are typical. The first sip: elegant acidity, fine tannins, wonderfully integrated into the overall fruit aromas. The only question is: are there enough bottles in the cellar? Incidentally, the Riserva is also available in magnums (1.5 liters) and double magnums (3 liters) in a wooden crate.

Between Florence and Siena: top red wines from Tuscany

Vicky Schmitt-Vitali is the friendly owner of the Fattoria Le Fonti winery in Panzano in Chianti. The Chianti Classico wine region, where the winery is located, is the oldest appellation in Italy - right between Florence and Siena. Vicky and her husband Guido took over the organically farmed vineyards from her father Konrad a few years ago. From the Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties planted here, they produce a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, the Fontissimo - a Super Tuscan -, a quaffable house wine La Lepre and a fresh Rosato. The range also includes an outstanding extra virgin olive oil from the estate's own olive trees. Organic farming, traditional processing paired with modern know-how - all these factors make Vicky and Guido so successful. 

Fattoria Le Fonti: The winery in the heart of Panzano in Chianti

Just below the village church of Panzano in Chianti, in the middle of the historic town center, is the entrance to the Fattoria Le Fonti winery. Vines and olive trees grow on an area of 15 hectares. The vineyards are located in the so-called Alta Valle della Greve, in the Greve Valley, which lies on the rear side of the Conca d'Oro, the golden valley. This part of Panzano has a somewhat cooler microclimate, which is particularly beneficial for the grapes in the hot summer months. Excessive heat can be detrimental to the quality of the grapes and therefore the wine - a slower ripening of the grapes ensures that the fruitiness is preserved and the alcohol content of the red wines remains within acceptable limits. Incidentally, all the vines at Le Fonti were replanted by Vicky's father Konrad in 1994, when he bought the estate.

Discovering the vineyard and wine cellar with Vicky Schmitt-Vitali

A vacation in Tuscany without wine tasting would be like pasta without Parmesan cheese - simply unthinkable! The numerous signs in and around Panzano invite vacationers to pay a visit to Fattoria Le Fonti. Because a tour through the vineyards and wine cellars with Vicky Schmitt-Vitali is certainly a vacation experience that you won't soon forget. On a tour, the passionate winemaker explains the special features of the vineyards in Le Fonti, explains the different grape varieties that grow here and, of course, invites visitors to taste the wines. And it really is an unforgettable experience for the taste buds and palate!

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti

Vicky Schmitt-Vitali

Marco Pierucci

8.5 ha of which 5.7 ha are classified as Chianti Classico

Galestro

Southeast

350 - 450 meters above sea level.

5,500 - 6,000 plants per ha

Cordon