Siepi di Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli 7 is, according to Gambero Rosso, "one of the 50 wines that have changed the Italian style". Since its origins Siepi, owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, has been a model farm, still worked today with the same respect for the territory. A unique position, a special microclimate and the intuition of the early Eighties to plant Merlot as an ideal complement to Sangiovese in a particularly suited terroir. We are 260 metres above sea level, with a south-southwest exposure, on land mainly composed of alberese (stone material of calcareous nature). The grapes, Merlot and Sangiovese in equal quantities, are harvested and vinified separately in steel, then the wines are aged 18 months in small 225-litre French oak barrels (70% new). After blending, Siepi ages another 4 months in concrete vats. The 2017 vintage has a special bottle dedicated to its first 25 years, it is produced starting from the 1992 harvest.

SIEPI MAZZEI CASTELLO DI FONTERUTOLI: TASTING

Siepi di Castello di Fonterutoli is a concentrated and lively ruby. The nose is opulent, with notes of plum and blackberry jam, liquorice, undergrowth, and then peony, Damascus rose, cloves, liquorice, tobacco, Oolong tea and mountain pine. The mouth is incredibly fresh, with important tannins well tamed by the alcoholic generosity, and a savoury and tasty finish. Very good with stewed thrushes.