Discover your 100% Free Loyalty Programme | Discover
TrustMark
4.71/5
unchecked wish list
Felsina : Maestro Raro 2017
5% off from 12 bottles

Felsina : Maestro Raro 2017

- - Red - See details
Parker | 93
Wine Spectator | 93
J. Suckling | 93
Vinous - A. Galloni | 93
$90.90 Incl. GST & DP
(
$90.90 / Unit
)
Packaging : 1 Bottle (75cl)
1 x 75CL
$90.90
6 x 75CL
$527.00

Pre-arrivals - Stock in France

  • Delivery
    DeliveryFree standard delivery from $1,000 purchase
    Right arrow icon
  • Guaranteed provenance
    Guaranteed provenanceWines sourced directly from the producing estates
    Right arrow icon
Marks and reviews

93

/100

Robert Parker

Monica Larner

The Fèlsina 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro is a spicy, generous and intense expression of this beautiful French grape with a wild Tuscan spirit. You can't escape those notes of sage and Mediterranean herb, with Morello cherry, wild plum and blackberry that give this wine a deep sense of territorial identity that transcends its varietal character. I notice that plumpness and softness of the fruit, the succulence too, that is tied to the hot growing conditions of the vintage. The wine is open-knit and ready, and I recommend a shorter drinking window as a result (compared to previous vintages). Only 6,500 bottles were released.

93

/100

Wine Spectator

Bruce Sanderson

A broad-shouldered style, matching blackberry, plum and graphite flavors to a solid structure. This is fresh and pretty well-balanced, with gravelly tannins shoring up the finish. Best from 2022 through 2038. 1,075 cases made, 500 cases imported.

93

/100

James Suckling

A big, rich cabernet with lots of currant, coffee, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, very chewy and concentrated. Needs time to soften. Try after 2022.

93

/100

Vinous

Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Maestro Raro is a powerful, brooding wine. My impression is that as time goes by, Maestro Raro, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, becomes more and more a wine of the estate rather than a varietal wine; there is plenty of volume and depth in the dark fruit, but Maestro Raro is deeply marked by the wild, animal undertones that run through all of these wines. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years.

90

/100

Falstaff

Falstaff

Dark, rich garnet. Little expression on the nose, closed. On the palate also reserved, juicy with grippy tannins, but it lacks fruit and is still finding itself; patience!

Description

Tasting characteristics and advice for Maestro Raro 2017 from Felsina

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a deep ruby red hue, lifted by purple and violet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a complex, generous bouquet. Aromas of black berries, blackcurrant and black cherry intertwine with notes of tobacco, leather and black tea. Hints of coffee, chocolate and cedar complete this rich aromatic palette, with no herbaceous notes.

Palate

On the palate, Maestro Raro 2017 stands out for its firm structure and controlled power. Intense flavors of blackcurrant jam and black cherry mingle with smoky notes that linger long on the palate. The tannins, well integrated and persistent, are tempered by a refreshing acidity that brings elegance and balance to the whole. The finish extends remarkably, reflecting the exceptional quality of this wine.

Food and wine pairings

This Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with red meats and game. It is the perfect match for a grilled steak, roast lamb or braised wild boar. Tomato-based dishes, such as pasta with rich sauces or traditional ragùs, also make harmonious pairings. For cheeses, opt for firm, well-aged styles such as aged pecorino.

Serving and cellaring

Maestro Raro 2017 has excellent aging potential and can be cellared for around 10 to 15 years. This wine will benefit from decanting before serving to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An exceptional Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon by Felsina

The estate

Founded in 1966 by Domenico Poggiali, Felsina now stands out as one of the most respected producers in Chianti Classico. The estate spans over 500 hectares, including around 90 hectares of vineyards, located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, to the southeast of the appellation. Now led by Giovanni Poggiali, representing the third generation of the family, Felsina combines tradition and innovation, practicing biodynamic viticulture alongside the most modern technologies. The estate is particularly renowned for its pioneering work on massal selection of Sangiovese and for its commitment to the authentic expression of Tuscan terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes for Maestro Raro 2017 come from two adjacent vineyards: Rancia Piccola and Poggiolo, located in the historic heart of Felsina’s terroir. These plots, set between 400 and 420 meters above sea level, benefit from a southwesterly exposure and well-ventilated slopes. The soils are composed of limestone derived from alberese and galestro marl, geological features that give Cabernet Sauvignon a particularly distinctive expression. Planting density reaches around 5,400 vines per hectare, with a bilateral cordon training system. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, selecting only grapes from mature vines, reflecting the estate’s uncompromising commitment to quality.

Winemaking and aging

After the hand harvest, the selected bunches are destemmed and crushed. The must ferments at controlled temperatures of 28 to 30°C in stainless-steel tanks, with scheduled pump-overs and daily rack-and-returns over 16 to 20 days. Between March and April, the new wine is transferred into new French oak barrels. Maestro Raro 2017 then undergoes 18 to 20 months of maturation in new oak. After the final blending, this Tuscan wine is bottled and then aged in glass for a minimum of 8 to 10 months before release.

Grape variety

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Felsina : Maestro Raro 2017
2.0.0