and more:
• Experience Felsina's Sangiovese
• IWM Nebbiolo Seminar
• Join IWM's Monthly Wine Club

100% Pure Sangiovese

In the 17 published editions of Gambero Rosso, Italy’s acclaimed wine rating guide, this Tuscan estate has won the coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award 17 times. They are a favorite of IWM, Robert Parker, and any Tuscan wine enthusiast. And they did it by revealing the true essence of the Sangiovese grape and the Chianti Classico terroir. What this tells us is that this is a winery of consistency, producing Chianti Classicos with the ability to age up to two decades for the right vintage. Much like the great Brunello estates, it is the marriage of an ideal microclimate and the uncompromising commitment of a dedicated staff that educes the full character of Tuscany's noble grape, even in off vintages. Even more importantly, this is a producer who creates compelling wines and releases them at contained prices, making Felsina accessible to all wine enthusiasts and one of Italy's greatest values!

Today we are pleased to offer their four wines dedicated to Sangiovese; the proprietary Fontalloro, the Chianti Classico normale (better than most Riservas produced), Chianti Classico Riserva normale, and the cru select Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia – perhaps Chianti’s greatest achievement. In addition, we have the great Tuscan sweet wine Vin Santo from the 1995 vintage.

For more information on this Tuscan institution read on below. Should you have any additional questions or to purchase these wines please contact Perry Porricelli at 212.473.2323.

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Behind Fontalloro and Rancia

Fattoria di Felsina is situated in the hills northeast of Siena in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the southern tip of the Chianti Classico DOCG production region. The estate maintains the majority of the 75 hectares inside the Classico borders with a small part resting in the Crete Senesi. How this estate came to be is a Tuscan love story. In 1976, Giuseppe Mazzocolin married Gloria Poggialli in the chapel on the Felsina estate. From that day on the role of the dedicated Latin and Greek school teacher quickly changed from educator to agricultural artisan. Though the Poggialli family had purchased Felsina in 1964, it wasn’t until the early '80s that Mazzocolin took the helm of the estate and changed its course to focus on more Sangiovese. With the arrival of talented wine consultant Franco Bernabei began a period of experimentation; Franco and Giuseppe tried and tested new methods and vines and determined that the southern estate was a natural breeding ground for a unique, richer Sangiovese capable of producing more full-bodied wines that could retain the traditional elegance of the grape. Thus in 1983 Fontalloro and Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia were born!

FONTALLORO
Fontalloro is a cuvee of grapes from six hectares of vineyards spread across three sites, two of which rest outside the delineated zone of Chianti Classico. Because parts lie outside of the Classico borders the Fontolloro will never be labeled Chianti Classico, but rather a Super-Tuscan or IGT wine. Mazzocolin deliberately took the vineyard outside the zone because he felt that the mixture of soils provide the wine with a distinctive flavor. Intense ruby red. The bouquet has strong notes of ripe cherry infused with aromas of vanilla and espresso. On the palate, the velvety structure gives way to a ride of wild berries, plum, and chocolate and finishes with an elegance rarely rivaled in Tuscany.

Felsina 2000 Fontalloro $43.07 (750ml)

CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA RANCIA
With the 2000 vintage the cru select Riserva Rancia stole the Tre Bicchieri award from Fontalloro, and the two wines continue to compete for critical acclaim. Felsina’s dark, powerful Riserva Rancia is a union of three different vineyards; it presents the classic Chianti bouquet of leather and cherries sprinkled with earthy minerals, oak, and more deep red fruit. The warmly fruity palate is zealous yet soft with impressive structure and depth. Velvety tannins linger on a long finish for this distinguished, brooding wine.

Felsina 1999 Chianti Riserva Rancia $34.40 (750ml)
Felsina 2000 Chianti Riserva Rancia $34.41 (750ml)

Click to order Fontalloro or Rancia by fax!

Chianti Classico to Vin Santo

CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA
Before the arrival of Fontalloro and Rancia, the historic 1970 and 1971 vintages of this Classico Riserva put the Felsina estate on the radar of wine enthusiasts across the globe. Deep ruby color. Rich leather, chocolate, and flowery underbrush tickle the nose, followed by ripe red fruit, dried flowers, and coffee on the palate. Overtones of pepper with firm acid and tannins linger on a smooth finish.

Felsina 2000 Chianti Classico Riserva $25.24 (750ml)

CHIANTI CLASSICO
Hailing from one of the warmer areas of the Chianti zone, the grapes used for this elegant Chianti Classico must be harvested exactly at their peak ripeness: Felsina has honed this skill to create an excellent illustration of the generous 2001 vintage in Chianti. Deep ruby color. The tar and jammy cherries of the bouquet are supported by unmistakable oak and a doughy sensation. A traditional combination of leather, smoke, and chocolate surrounding more rich cherries on the full, lightly spicy palate. This is a complex, concentrated wine with well-balanced tannins and acidity that invigorate a long, sturdy finish.

Felsina 2001 Chianti Classico $21.66 (750 ml)
Felsina 2001 Chianti Classico $12.37 (375 ml)

VIN SANTO
Felsina’s Vin Santo, made from the Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes with a small dose of Sangiovese, spends seven years in barrels on the lees of previous batches and then ages for another full year in the bottle before release. Honey, dried flowers, and caramel radiate from the deep gold with red highlights. Almonds, apricots, and zesty spice cake flow onto a rich, consistent palate. Soft and elegant with well-integrated wood that lasts through a long finish. This luscious, concentrated wine carries surprising weight and balance; although ready to drink now, it also has great potential for cellaring. The perfect finish to an Italian meal!

Felsina 1995 Vin Santo (500ml) $34.59

Click for more sweet wines from the Boot!

Experience Felsina's Sangiovese

IWM is offering Felsina's Sangiovese wines in both a six pack (1 of each) and case sampler (2 of each). This is a great way to explore the many faces of Tuscany's noble grape, from the exemplary Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva through the distinguished ‘Rancia’ cru to the IGT Fontalloro. This sampler also provides an opportunity to study the variance between vintages as well as a special glimpse at Vin Santo, Toscana’s favorite dessert wine and a contrasting expression of the region’s wine production.

Felsina 2000 ‘Fontalloro’ $43.07 (750 ml)
Felsina 2000 Chianti Riserva ‘Rancia’ $34.41 (750 ml)
Felsina 1999 Chianti Riserva ‘Rancia’ $34.40 (750 ml)
Felsina 2000 Chianti Riserva $25.24 (750 ml)
Felsina 2001 Chianti Classico $21.66 (750 ml)
Felsina 1995 Vin Santo $34.59 (500 ml)

IWM Felsina Six Pack (6): $193.37*
IWM Felsina Case Sampler (12): $362.69*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click here to order the Felsina six-pack by fax!

IWM Nebbiolo Seminar

Barolo to Valtellina: The Many Faces of Nebbiolo
Saturday, October 9th
1:00 - 3:00 pm, $95.00

David Lynch, co-author of Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy and Wine Director at Babbo, conducts a world-class tasting of Nebbiolo, from Barolo to Valtellina. David will discuss the stylistic approaches of the winemakers and the environmental influences on this noble grape. Participants will receive a signed copy of David's book "Vino Italiano" (Hardcover, 515 pages).

These events sell out, so we recommend that you reserve well in advance. Click to register by fax or call Derrick Mize today at 212.473.2323.

Click to register for this seminar by fax!

Join IWM's Monthly Wine Club

IWM has three wine club levels, and this week we are sharing the "Big Guns of Italy." This is our most popular club and includes a unique selection of sophisticated wines that are ready to drink upon arrival - an ideal gift for those looking to uncork the best from Italy.

Club members will be exposed to single vineyard selections and to the powerhouse reds that impress so easily. So take a trip with IWM and enjoy the complexity of the Langhe and the wonders of Bolgheri's coastline with wines from the likes of Veneto's Allegrini and Piemonte's Conterno, as well as the elegance of Umbria's Caprai!

In addition to receiving these wines well below market value, members have other benefits. For more information about the Big Guns of Italy Passport or our other wine club levels, please contact Chris Deas at 212.473.2323.

Give the perfect gift, an IWM wine club. Click to explore!