2016 Mazzei Concerto di Fonterutoli

2016 Mazzei Concerto di Fonterutoli

2016 Mazzei Concerto di Fonterutoli The 2016 Concerto di Fonterutoli, the estate’s blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, is dense, plush and explosive, with superb depth and notable persistence. Super-ripe black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol, licorice and rose petal build in a rich, dramatic wine endowed with superb depth, intensity and pedigree. All the best elements of the house style are on display in this sumptuous, modern Tuscan red. Two thousand sixteen is a terrific vintage for the Concerto. I loved it.

Super Tuscans, gorgeous Italian blends made in the heart of Italy’s most-important wine regions, are among the most-desired in the world. Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Solaia are resplendent examples of Super Tuscans and are hugely popular and expensive. We have found a steal in the stellar 2016 vintage to recommend. 2016 Super Tuscans are going down as some of the finest ever: 98pts Parker’s WA and 98pts by Vinous. The wine is the 2016 Mazzei Concerto di Fonterutoli.

Castello di Fonterutoli is one of the most famous Wineries in all of Italy with an amazing history.  It was acquired by the famous Mazzei family in 1435. Ser Lapo Mazzei is the author of the first known document to use the “Chianti” denomination in 1398; in 1435, when his granddaughter Madonna Smeralda Mazzei married Piero di Agnolo da Fonterutoli, the holding became part of the family’s estate. Since then, for 24 generations, the Mazzei family produces wine at Castello di Fonterutoli.

Philip Mazzei, who enjoyed calling himself a “Citizen of the World”, befriended Franklin, Adams, Washington, and Jefferson; the latter invited him to introduce vine growing in Monticello, Virginia. In a letter to George Washington, Mazzei writes that the soil and climate of that region are wonderfully suitable for wine production. Filippo inspired Jefferson with the idea that “All men are by nature equally free and independent. Such equality is necessary in order to create a free government”. In his book A Nation of Immigrants, John F. Kennedy himself acknowledges that “The great doctrine ‘All men are created equal’, incorporated in the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, was paraphrased from the writings of Filippo Mazzei, an Italian patriot and dear friend of Jefferson”. In 1980 for the 250th anniversary of his birth, Philip Mazzei is commemorated as an “American Patriot” with a stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

The great Carlo Ferrini consults, possibly Tuscans greatest winemaker, also makes Oreno, Casanova di Neri,  Petrolo, La Massa, Brancaia and Brolio. The 2016 Concerto di Fonterutoli, the estate’s blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon and is a benchmark for Italian wine. The wine started with 1981 vintage and this blend has been copied and emulated by others in Tuscany ever since. 2016 is a great vintage for Concerto. Great house, from a great vintage, made by a great winemaker makes this a strong buy!