Felsina Fontalloro 1997

This opens immediately with a very fine nose, complex and balanced with a bit of wood but integrated with lots of liquory fruit, smokey and a touch gamey, excellent aromatics. In the mouth this is round and lush with good acid and very fine tannic structure, a classic medium weight mouthfeel, like a kite in the mouth with tannin and acid spars supporting a billowing. airy fruit. Dark berry notes dominate the midpalate but there are interesting forest floor and porcini notes that add interest and a bit of toasted hazelnut on the backend which is joined by bright bitter cherry fruit and a touch of espresso read more...foam. Finish is elegant and layered with solid length to the wild berry fruit notes. With dinner the nose turns earthier with dark spicy fruit and gentle spice notes, the acid becomes a touch more prominent giving the wine a juicy feel with a candied apple fruitiness, touch of green apple in fact and a lovely insinuation of dried funghi leads to the long, slightly grippy finish. A very complete wine that is still youthful but show excellent concentraton without being clumsy, very fine equilibrium bodes well for further positive development, compelling and engaging. 2008-2018    (hide)

July 2008

Full of roasted strawberry notes on the nose with a soft, sweet floral note and hints of tar, light earth, and fading spices adding complexity. In the mouth this is polished and plush with modest intensity of cranberry and roasted strawberry fruit. The tannins are nice and crisp and poke out a bit on the long finish which shows incipient notes of tobacco and bitter greens. A touch soft and diffuse but still showing well. 90pts

June 2009