2022 Felsina Chianti Classico DOCG, Castelnuovo Berardenga Tuscany

A well-balanced, seductive and lively red with aromas of forest berries, red currants, warm herbs and some crushed peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy berry character with a lift of spices bringing energy and vitality on the palate and onto the tactile finish. Drink now.

92 points jamessuckling.com

Fèlsina sits at the southern edge of Chianti Classico in Castelnuovo Berardenga, a zone known for warmer light and deeper, clay rich soils that give Sangiovese extra breadth. The estate dates back to the 1960s when Domenico Poggiali Fèlsina assembled the property and committed fully to quality focused viticulture. Over decades the winery became one of the great champions of pure Sangiovese, helping elevate Chianti Classico’s reputation worldwide. Today the style is guided by the Poggiali family alongside long time technical director Franco Bernabei, one of Italy’s most respected winemaking minds, whose philosophy centres on expressing terroir through restraint rather than embellishment.

The Chianti Classico DOCG is the estate’s calling card, built from hillside vineyards farmed for balance and longevity. Fermentation is tuned to preserve Sangiovese’s bright red fruit and natural acidity, while ageing in oak refines the tannins without masking varietal character. The approach is traditional but precise, aiming for structure, clarity and age worthiness.

Bright ruby with garnet hints, the aromas open with sour cherry, red plum and cranberry layered with dried herbs, tobacco and a touch of leather. The palate is medium bodied and finely structured, with vivid red fruit wrapped in chalky tannins and fresh acidity. Flavours of cherry, spice and savoury earth run long through a dry, mouthwatering finish that tightens with grip.

It pairs beautifully with pasta, grilled meats, tomato based dishes and aged cheeses. Drinking impressively now with air, it will cellar comfortably for eight to twelve years, developing earthy and leathery complexity.