GREAT ITALIAN WINES TASTING
Merlot Grapes: Blended
Castello di Fonterutoli
Castellina in Chianti (Siena)
	Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, Fonterutoli today still preserves its original, peaceful country hamlet character. The company manages a total area of 470 hectares, of which 69 are specialist vineyards in four zones: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Badiola and Belvedere, at 230 to 500 meters above sea level, facing South and South-West. The structure of the ground derives from the break-up of "alberese" and sandstone rocks and is rich in skeletal stone, so much so that Fonterutoli is often nicknamed "the stone wine." Average production is less than 40 hl per hectare.      The optimal exposure of the vineyards, hillside and micro-climatic conditions and vine density - progressively expanded to more than 6 thousand plants per hectare - ensure wines boasting complexity, elegance and power. In particular, Sangiovese developed through local breeding and clones finds in these four production areas the ideal environment for expressing its qualitative potential: major bouquet and elegance in the higher zones (Fonterutoli and Badiola), structure and power in the lower areas (Siepi and Belvedere).      All the main vineyard operations are performed manually, including the harvest, at different times specific to each site, to ensure that grapes of optimal ripening are delivered to the cellars.
The wine: Siepi Igt Toscana 1999
	Grapes used: Sangiovese 50%, Merlot 50% Production Characteristics: the grapes are grown in the Siepi vineyard at 260 meters above sea level. A full-bodied wine with sweet and intense tannins. The harvest was conducted by hand September 7 to 12 for Merlot and September 27 to October 10 for Sangiovese. Fermentation took place at 32° C. Maceration lasted for 18 days for Sangiovese and 21 days for Merlot. Maturing was carried out in small French oak barrels (228 lt.) for 18 months. The wine was bottled in May 2001. Alcohol: 14% vol.
Presented by Filippo Mazzei
	Born in Florence in 1958, Filippo Mazzei attended classic high school and then earned a degree in Economics. He first became involved in the Fonterutoli company in 1978, giving a distinct impulse towards the conversion of the company in both production and commerical terms. After important experience with Findomestic, a leading consumer credit company, he joined, in 1989, the family company fulltime and consolidated the modernization program initially launched by his father. He emphasized the development process for wine quality and outlet markets that today see Fonterutoli recognized as one of the most important Chianti Classic and Tuscan producers.      In 1989, he was appointed director of the Chianti Classic extra-virgin olive oil consortium. In 1993, he assisted Francesco Ricasoli in the buy-back of Barone Ricasoli (formerly sold to American and then Australian groups) and since then has worked as managing director with the objective of guiding the renaissance and success of this prestigious winemaker. In 2000, he joined the board of the Chianti Classic Consortium.
Winery
	Castello di Fonterutoli Loc. Fonterutoli, 53011 Castellina in Chianti (Si) Tel: 39 0577.73571 . Fax: 39 0577.735757 Email: fonterutoli@fonterutoli.it