After restoring the ancient, terraced slope beneath the San Leolino chapel, the Manetti family launched this single-vineyard bottling with the 2019 vintage. Like Vigna del Sorbo, it comes from the township of Panzano but is more profusely fragrant and linear in character – though there is no lack of power. Aromas of sandalwood, liquorice, rose and smoky black tea entice. A brightly lit mouthful of fleshy red cherry and mint-infused dark brambles follows. This vibrates with tension and tangy minerals, while fine, grainy tannins provide an unwavering ballast.

The 2022 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leolino is very quickly becoming one of the flagship wines at Fontodi. Elevation and alberese soils yield a Chianti Classico endowed with striking salinity and tension. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather, incense and blood orange stain the palate. The 2022 spent 12 months in French oak barriques and a second year in French oak casks. What a wine!

www.vinous.com

Dark, shiny ruby red colour. Beguiling bouquet, with notes of juicy black cherry on damp earth, plus cedar wood, leather, cayenne pepper and a touch of nougat, complex. Precise fruit on the palate, with a lot of tension and a great alternation of animating acidity and silky tannins, very long.

The organic Fontodi 2022 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano Terrazze San Leonlino is a relatively new addition that expands the estate portfolio to include top-end wines from different terroirs within the appellation. This wine shows a dark inky color, nice layering and richness with plenty of detailing in terms of fruit and spice. The tannins are fine and elegant. It offers a lot of volume and a velvety texture with power in the form of a robust 15% alcohol content. Fruit comes from a special site measuring five hectares at 500 meters in elevation with limestone alberese soils in Panzano. Production is only 5,000 bottles.

www.robertparker.com