SCORES Wine Spectator - 91 pts James Suckling - 93 pts Robert Parker - 90 pts Wine Enthusiast - 92 pts Decanter - 4 Stars Petersham Cellar has just secured a small parcel of the award winning Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2006 from the Mazzei Family Estate Castello di Fonterutolli in Tuscany. This is a unique opportunity to buy some of this highly sought after wine, it is proving very popular at the Estate and there isn't much left so we wanted to make sure our customers are offered this wine before it runs out. It is stunning, drinking well now but can also be cellared for 5+ years due to its fantastic structure and balance. The most representative wine of the Fonterutoli estate has been created with seven different Sangiovese clones blended with a small amount of other local grape varieties. This powerful and elegant wine is an excellent expression of the four different terroirs of the Fonterutoli estate.It has been aged for 16 months in small French oak barrels and boasts excellent structure and smoothness. Bold and classy.James Suckling 93 Points, Antonio Galloni 90 Points, Wine Spectator 91 Points, Wine Enthusiast 92 Points

One of Italy’s most preferred by wine connoisseurs, the region of Tuscany is probably only rivalled for its prestige by Piedmont, in the north. Tuscany contains a number of very fine DOC and DOCG appellations within its geographical borders, and is also home to the Super Tuscans. By far the most relevant Tuscan appellation is Chianti Classico, where some incredible wines that compete at the highest level are produced. Many of these amazing Chiantis will age for over twenty years. Chianti shares Tuscany with Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, both of which produce wines of great quality. Brunello is a local variety of the Sangiovese grape. The warm temperatures coming off the coast, combined with the cool breezes from the hills, create a multitude of microclimates.

DOCG and DOC

IGT: Toscana; Colli della Toscana Centrale; Vermentino di Toscana

DOC: Barco Reale di Carmignano; Bolgheri; Chianti; Elba; Maremma Toscana; Rosso di Montalcino; Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC;Vin Santo del Chianti; Vin Santo del Carmignano

DOCG:Brunello di Montalcino; Chianti Classico; Chianti Classico Riserva; Carmignano; Morellino di Scansano; Vernaccia di San Gimignano; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Tuscany accounts for over thirty DOC and half a dozen of DOCG wines. In addition to the great, well-known and appreciated reds, the local production includes a few distinguishable whites, the most notable among them being, without doubt, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Other delicious whites include the Bianco d'Elba, Bianco di Bolgheri, Vermentino and Bianco di Pitigliano.

Grape varieties

One of the most well known is Sangiovese the mainstay in all but one of Tuscany's seven red-wine DOCGs. In Montalcino it goes by the name Brunello, hence the name Brunello di Montalcino; in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano it is locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. Chianti, famed the world over, also features Sangiovese, as well as permitting the addition of small amounts of Canaiolo and Colorino, and international gems Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. As well as being famed for its reds, Tuscany produces some distinguished whites, one of which has achieved DOCG status: Vernaccia di San Gimignano.