The Mazzei family has a long history dealing with vines and wines. In fact, the name "Ser Lapo" is an homage to their ancestor by that name whose 1398 sales contract serves as the earliest reference to a wine as being from the region of Chianti! Castello di Fonterutoli's Chianti Classico Riserva comes from the mid-altitude slopes along Castellina's western cascade of hills.
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Featuring black cherry, blueberry, mint, iron and Tuscan scrub flavors, this solid red is built for aging, with ripe fruit returning on the long finish. All the components are there—this just needs time. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2024 through 2040."
JAMES SUCKLING 94 POINTS - "Black cherry, bark and earth on the nose with some dark-mushroom character. It’s full-bodied with very soft tannins and a juicy, savory finish. Wet-earth and forest-floor character comes through nicely at the finish. "
Aged 1 year in smaller (225/500L) French oak barrels (half new).