2023 Fonterutoli Siepi 750ML

2023 Fonterutoli Siepi 750ML

The Mazzei family of Siepi is currently on its 25th generation of winemakers, based at Castello di Fonterutoli in Castellina in Chianti, farmed organically since 2006, with Siepi from a 6ha site. This is one of the hardest to get great single vineyard Super Tuscans. The wine rivals icons like Ornellaia (99pts, $284), Sassicaia (98pts, $306), even Masseto (98pts, $899)!  Robert Parker said about Siepi, “this wine could easily compete with a first-growth Bordeaux.”  The wine is the 2023 Castello di Fonterutoli Mazzei Siepi, Gambero Rosso has called Siepi “one of the fifty wines that changed Italy.” Indicates clearly the esteem in which Siepi is held by Italian connoisseurs.Rich with 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 single vineyard of Siepi is located in the county of Castellina. The soil is characterized by clay-rich with the presence of marly limestone and calciferous sandstone and is truly one of Italy’s greatest vineyards. In a document stored in the family archive at Fonterutoli, Siepi was already listed among the properties of Madonna Smeralda Mazzei in 1435; this is certainly one of the oldest vineyards in Italy.

The great Carlo Ferrini consults, possibly Tuscans greatest winemaker, also makes Oreno, Casanova di Neri,  Petrolo, La Massa, Brancaia and Brolio. Siepi is one of the greats, gets massive press in top vintages. Siepi is a monumental wine with towering intensity and opulent aromas of spice, leather and chocolate covered cherry. The texture of this hearty blend is infinitely soft and supple. A definite collector piece and a wine for the ages. I was blown away by this wine.