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Every bottle shares a story. This one begins in 1398
After notes of cranberry, red cherry, cedar and cocoa, there's a reassuring earthiness and soft tannins on the finish. It's named after the Mazzei family's ancestor who wrote about Chianti wine in an official document dating to 1398.
Castello di Fonterutoli has been owned by the Mazzei family since 1435 and still retains the original traits of a typical Tuscan village in central Italy: a cluster of houses, the church of San Miniato and the villa, built at the end of the 1500s where the medieval castle once stood. The village (left) sits in the heart of the Chianti Classico hills, 5km south of Castellina in Chianti, its nearest town. The wine cellars of Fonterutoli are among the most impressive in the region – they were designed by architect and family member Agnesi Mazzei and built into the hillside with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.
In 1398, family ancestor Ser Lapo Mazzei was the first person to compile a legal document in which 'Chianti wine' was mentioned. And so this sumptuous Chianti Classico Riserva – Ser Lapo – is named in his honour, and his handwritten extracts from that very document are shown on the bottle label. Today, the estate comprises 117 hectares of vineyard that are mainly planted with Sangiovese, alongside Merlot, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Cabernet Sauvignon vines. It's these grapes that go into Fonterutoli's award-winning wines, admired by many all over the world for their style, finesse and elegance.
A blend of Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, Ser Lapo spends one year ageing in barriques (small oak wine barrels) before bottling. There's a burst of cherry, herbs, leather and balsamic on the nose, and concentrated, succulent flavour, framed by rich tannins, lively acidity and great length. Serve this stunning wine alongside grilled meats, stews, cheese and, of course, fresh pasta.
