Castello Banfi : Fonte alla Selva Gran Selezione 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Fonte alla Selva Gran Selezione 2022 Castello Banfi

Tasting notes

Color
Visually, this wine reveals a magnificent ruby red hue, enriched with deep mauve highlights that reflect the beautiful concentration of this sun-drenched vintage.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves particularly captivating, releasing intense scents of black and red fruits such as black cherry, blackberry and plum. This fruity core intertwines harmoniously with more complex notes of dried flowers, licorice and sweet spices, rounded out by subtle hints of tobacco and coffee.

Palate
On the palate, the attack reveals a structure that is both full-bodied and majestic. The balance is remarkable, carried by a lovely vibrancy that brings plenty of freshness. The tannins, though powerful, come across as particularly silky and well-integrated. The finish lingers long on delicious notes of ripe fruit and delicate spices.

Food and wine pairing

This great red wine pairs beautifully with full-flavored red meats, whether roasted or braised, such as a fine grilled cut of beef or a game dish in sauce. It also pairs perfectly with hard or blue-veined aged cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Fonte alla Selva Gran Selezione 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C, taking care to decant it about an hour before tasting. Blessed with excellent aging potential, this wine will develop favorably in the cellar and can be enjoyed until around 2037.

The excellence and tradition of a great Chianti Classico terroir

The estate

Founded in 1978 by the Mariani brothers, the Castello Banfi estate has established itself as a true institution in Tuscany. Located southwest of Montalcino, the property spans a vast ecosystem of 2,830 hectares, of which around 800 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. Now led by Cristina Mariani-May, representing the third generation, the estate brilliantly combines technological innovation with respect for tradition. Backed by a deep commitment to sustainability and crowned by its iconic medieval castle, Castello Banfi shines internationally through the consistent quality of its cuvées.

The vineyard

The grapes behind this cuvée come from a vineyard of about forty hectares located at the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation, in the commune of Castellina in Chianti. The vines grow on shallow, clay-sandy soils, which encourages excellent concentration in the berries. The vineyard is trained using the spurred cordon system, with deliberately limited yields to favor the excellence of the fruit.

The vintage

The year 2022 stood out for its particularly hot and dry weather conditions, marking a record temperature high for the region. The growing cycle had to contend with significant water stress during the winter and spring. Fortunately, saving rains that fell between late August and early September allowed the berries to rehydrate at just the right moment, ensuring harmonious ripening and perfect balance.

Winemaking and aging

After a rigorous manual selection of the bunches in the vineyard, the berries are gently destemmed and crushed. Alcoholic fermentation for the Fonte alla Selva Gran Selezione 2022 takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks over seven to ten days. The wine then undergoes aging for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, split between large foudres and small barriques, before continuing to refine further in bottle.

Grape varieties

• Sangiovese (80 to 90%)
• traditional local grape varieties (10 to 20%)