2001 Felsina, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (RT95) The 2001 Vin Santo is comprised of a field blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Sangiovese. At age 24 it has reached its pinnacle and is now at full tertiary expression. Showing a deeply burnished bronze color, it resembles tawny port in appearance but differs vastly in its gustatory expression classic autumnal characteristics adorn this beautiful dessert wine dominated by dried dates, figs, raisins and toasted hazelnuts. The palate texture is decadently rich with a soft mouthfeel, punctuated with bright acidity. This has matured magnificently and in my view is one of the benchmarks of Vin Santo from Chianti Classico. It won’t likely improve with further cellaring, so savor its goodness now and over the coming few years paired with classic desert dishes like tiramisu, fig tarte, apple pie, pecan pie or blue cheese. Stilton is on my mind! Drink now-2031+ Tasted November 2025
Located in south-eastern Chianti Classico in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Fèlsina covers 350 hectares (865 acres) boasting a variety of microclimates, landscapes, terrains and terroirs. They have 130 hectares (321 acres) of vines planted, and in those vineyards, characterized by diverse soils and microclimates, each site expresses unique, individual qualities.
Fèlsina dates to 1960 and they released their first wine – a Chianti Classico – in 1966. First managed and run by Giovanni Poggiali, in 1983 they brought in one of the leading consulting oenologists of the day, Franco Bernabei, to implement a program of mass selection that allowed them to find the very best of the different Sangiovese crus growing on their property. That marriage of grape variety and terroir has proven an inseparable element of both the past and future of Fèlsina. The director of the estate is Giuseppi Mazzocolin, who has a long history with Fèlsina. Their passion is Sangiovese, and they embrace it like holy grail. Also known as Sangioveto – the original Tuscan word – takes its birth from the extraordinary variety of clones that have evolved here due to a combination of variables-different soils and microclimates. These clones constitute a distinctive heritage to hand down to future generations.
In addition to their passion for Sangiovese, Fèlsina also grows white varieties as well as other red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. For this Vin Santo, crafted from a blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Sangiovese, after harvest the clusters are dried on mats for a few months, then de-stemmed and pressed, with the must being transferred and sealed in 100 liter oak casks containing the “mother” (thick, gooey substance from previous vintages). After 7 years of aging in the “vinsantaia” loft area, the wine is bottle aged for a minimum of 6 months it’s released into the market.
