Just south of Castellina in Chianti, the Fonterutoli estate looks out across the Val d’Elsa from one of the most historic corners of Chianti Classico. Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, it still feels like a peaceful country hamlet: old stone houses clustered together, the church of San Miniato, and a sixteenth-century villa standing where the medieval castle once was. Today the estate spans 117 hectares of vines, mostly Sangiovese alongside Merlot, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its gravity-fed cellar, designed by architect Agnesi Mazzei, is considered one of the region’s most striking and environmentally thoughtful wineries.

Vineyards

Siepi comes from a six-hectare vineyard sitting at 260 metres above sea level, facing south and southwest. The soils are predominantly Alberese, and the vines range from thirteen to twenty-six years of age. Both spur-cordon and Guyot systems are used, with high-density plantings that enhance concentration and structure. Its plateau position allows for full sunlight from dawn to dusk, while an encircling oak forest moderates temperatures and creates a pronounced diurnal shift. This microclimate, both bright and sheltered, is fundamental to Siepi’s identity.

Winemaking

The Merlot was hand-picked on 5 September and the Sangiovese on 17 September. Fermentation took place at 26–28°C in stainless steel, with macerations lasting fourteen days for Merlot and eighteen for Sangiovese. Ageing was carried out for eighteen months in French oak, with Merlot in barriques and Sangiovese in tonneaux, seventy percent of which were new. The blend then rested for three months in concrete before bottling in June 2024, giving time for the components to integrate with purity and finesse.

Vintage Information

The 2022 season began with a mild, dry winter followed by a warm spring that drove steady, uniform growth. Budbreak arrived around 10 April, with slight variations between parcels, and flowering took place on 16 May. Dry, hot conditions through the summer produced small, thick-skinned berries with exceptional concentration. Despite the challenging rainfall levels, vine health remained excellent, and disease pressure was low. Harvest began early on 1 September and concluded on 6 October, yielding fruit of impressive ripeness and clarity, though in reduced quantities. Overall, the vintage delivered character, definition and a strong sense of place.

Tasting Note

Siepi 2022 is vivid and expressive, opening with crisp notes of elderflower, plum and ripe berries. Layers of sandalwood and tobacco add warmth and depth. The palate is long, bright and beautifully persistent, carried by refined tannins and a sense of lifted energy that defines the vintage.

Food Pairing

Rich, flavourful dishes suit Siepi’s depth and structure—think game, slow-cooked meats, dark reductions, or pungent blue cheeses that echo the wine’s dark fruit and savoury spice.

Press

The 2022 vintage has been widely acclaimed, with James Suckling awarding 97 points for its polished tannins, violet-scented aromatics and graceful length. Wine Advocate followed with 96 points, highlighting its radiant cherry fruit, energy and the fine-tuning evident in this anniversary release. Jane Anson gave 97 points and Decanter 95, placing the wine firmly among the strongest Siepi vintages of recent years.

Region

IGT Toscana

Grape Varieties

Sangiovese and Merlot in equal proportions.

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