Fèlsina Berardenga, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | FE117B23 | 6 x 75 | Screwcap | Available |
Producer
Fèlsina, in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, epitomises the bold, powerful style of southern Chianti, making wines stylistically more akin to Montalcino than those of fellow Chianti producers, Fontodi or Isole e Olena.
Giuseppe Mazzocolin ran the 470-hectare estate from the end of the 1970s until 2011. He is now less involved in the day-to-day management, while consultant oenologist Franco Bernabei heads up the winemaking team. Fèlsina’s reputation is defined by its exemplary vineyards and quality-focused winemaking, resulting in wines that are “incredibly distinctive archetypes of Castelnuovo Berardenga” (Antonio Galloni, vinous.com)
The barrel-fermented Chardonnay ‘I Sistri’ is made from 60% free-run juice and combines a ripe, buttery nose with a touch of tropical fruit on the palate, while maintaining a fresh finish. The Fèlsina Chianti Classico is fresh and vibrant with remarkable elegance. The Chianti Classico Riserva has an impressive structure. It is fleshy and powerful with bright acidity, evident but supple tannins and a lovely minerality that carries through to a long finish. ‘Rancia’ comprises a six-hectare Sangiovese vineyard planted on sandstone, chalk and galestro soils. The resulting wine is aged for 12– 18 months in oak, creating a concentrated yet elegant expression with black and red berry fruit and a fine character.
The ‘Fontalloro’ is made solely from Sangiovese from three vineyards, two of which sit just outside the Classico border. It has a powerful structure and an excellent concentration of tannins. The Gran Selezione ‘Colonia’ is made from a Sangiovese vineyard that was replanted in 1993 after many years of hard work on this difficult but rewarding site. Aged for 30 months in French oak and only produced in very small quantities, it displays a unique complexity and intensity which justifies its position at the apex of premium Chianti Classico wines.
Olive Groves
There are three separate "grove units," (Boschi, Fèlsina, Pagliarese), each with distinctive soils and weather, and three different terroirs for each olive variety. The olive groves cover 47.2491 hectares, totalling 6,923 trees.
Harvest
In 2023, challenging weather conditions marked the year, with mild and rainy winter months followed by a return of cold in March and April, ensuring regular budding. May brought instability, with rain persisting until mid-June, causing concerns. From late June, rising temperatures posed issues, especially with fungal diseases like downy mildew. Vigilant monitoring and specific interventions in vineyards were crucial, focusing on soil care and grassing techniques to maintain optimal humidity. Olive trees faced challenges during flowering due to rainy and foggy days in June. Above-average temperatures persisted until October, necessitating targeted interventions with biological protection products. Felsina's vineyards and olive groves, with diverse characteristics, responded differently. Consistent and timely management proved vital, resulting in a 2023 harvest that, though reduced by about 30% for wine and 35% for oil, excelled in quality.
Production
The olives were hand harvested just as they began to turn colour (veraison), the ideal moment for optimal quality of the oil. They were immediately transferred to the pressing facility, which began no more than 4 hours after harvesting. Oil was only extracted from the pulp and was stored in stainless steel blanketed by nitrogen or argon to prevent oxidation. It was bottled under vacuum as orders were received.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Bright green in colour, the olive oil stands out for the remarkable intensity of its bitter and peppery properties, beautifully balanced with spice and herbaceous essences.
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fèlsina Berardenga | `Rancia` Chianti Classico Riserva | FE104 | R | Factsheet | |
| `Fontalloro` | FE105 | R | Factsheet |