SAN FELICE
TUSCANY, ITALY
Why Buy: Is San Felice Chianti Classico's best-kept secret? Since the late 1960s, it’s been on a mission to unlock the full potential of Sangiovese and its Tuscan brethren, and this curation of back-vintage releases — spanning 14 years and including a 96-pointer from 2010 and two 95-pointers (one from 2011) — is both a journey through time and terroir and a showcase of the estate's wonderful versatility. These are wines of enormous depth and polish that you can sit and sip in deepest contemplation, or pair with any special occasion meal, or wow a crowd with at a party.
What They’re Saying: James Suckling lauded the Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni Il Quercione Riserva 2010, an "extremely focused and precise” wine, he wrote, in his 96-point rave, with "chewy tannins" and an "extremely long and lively finish.” Suckling was also expansive in his praise of the Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015, a 95-pointer whose "blue-fruit flavors … are brought to life by pinpoint acidity and firm, steely tannins. A wine that embodies finesse and purity.” Il Grigio Gran Selezione 2011 also earned 95 points, with the Wine Enthusiast calling it a "fantastic combination of power and finesse,” with a "delicious palate” and “velvety tannins."
Our Tasting Notes:
* The 2020 Il Grigio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione explodes with red fruits and a judicious touch of Mediterranean herbs. Its palate is a tapestry of cherry and plum, woven with subtle spice and framed by tannins that portend a long, graceful aging.
* The Vigorello Toscana IGT 2018 is San Felice's maverick, starring the rare Pugnitello grape. It's a brooding marvel, its dark fruit notes playing counterpoint to an earthy bass note of black truffle. Each sip unfolds like a rich, velvety narrative.
* Talk about the power of patience. A decade of aging has transformed The 2011 Il Grigio Gran Selezione into a complex masterpiece. On the palate, it's a harmonious dance of fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, and mocha, supported by velvety tannins that speak to its impeccable structure.
* The Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015 embodies the finesse and purity that define great Chianti Classico. Its palate is precisely calibrated, the blue fruit flavors lifted by pinpoint acidity and sculpted by firm, steely tannins.
* The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni Il Quercione Riserva is San Felice's magnum opus. A wine of profound concentration and finesse, with layers of dried cherry, leather, and tobacco cascading across the palate in a seemingly endless finish.
The Story: Nestled in the rolling hills of Castelnuovo Berardenga, on a site that dates back to Etruscan times, this 685-hectare estate has long gone its own way. While other estates chased international varieties, San Felice doubled down on Sangiovese, with 85% of its 140 hectares dedicated to this quintessential Tuscan grape. Under the guidance of winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini, San Felice has refined its approach to crafting wines that speak eloquently of their origin. Their use of large oak casks for aging allows the nuances of their diverse soils — from galestro to alberese — to shine through. The estate's dedication to sustainable practices, from precision viticulture to water management and solar energy, ensures that the land will continue to express its character for generations to come. And its partnership with the Universities of Florence and Pisa to establish an experimental vineyard, a living laboratory dedicated to rediscovering and preserving indigenous grape varieties, has yielded some striking and impressive gains. Among the many results of this Vitiarium is that forgotten varieties, like the Pugnitello grape — the backbone of San Felice’s Vigorello — have been given new life.
The Specs: For their Brunello, carefully selected clusters of Sangiovese Grosso from the 2.5-hectare Il Quercione vineyard are vinified separately. The wine ages in large oak casks, allowing for slow, gentle maturation that preserves the wine's unique character. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines, meanwhile, are crafted from the best grapes grown in specific vineyard parcels and aged in a combination of large oak casks and smaller French barrels. The Vigorello, San Felice's innovative IGT blend, showcases the unique Pugnitello grape alongside international varieties. This wine sees extended maceration and aging in French oak barriques, resulting in a wine of remarkable depth and complexity.
What to Pair Them With: Think: the foundational dishes of Tuscan cuisine. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines are perfect partners for a grilled T-bone steak or a wild boar ragù. The Brunello calls for rich dishes like osso buco or aged Pecorino cheese. For the Vigorello, try pairing it with game birds or mushroom risotto, to bring out its savory, earthy notes.
Fun Fact: San Felice isn't just a winery — it's an entire hamlet, complete with a luxury hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant, and reflective of their holistic approach to wine and food.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Spring 2025. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NM, NY, & TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, October 16th, 2024.