Varietals: Sangiovese
Organic: Practicing
Vineyard: Vigneto Rancia, located in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, northeast of Siena and in the southern part of the Chianti Classico production area.
Orientation: Rancia is at an altitude of 400 metres with a good, south-facing exposure. It covers about 6 hectares (2.4 acres).
Soil: Quartzitic blue-grey sandstone, stratified sand and calcareous alberese mixed with alluvial pebbles. Limestone-sand marl galestro in the higher areas.
Viticulture: New plantings in recent years have utilised the massal selection genetic material gathered from the old Rancia vineyard. Simple Guyot with an average yield of 40-45 hl/ha (2.3-2.6 tons/acre).
Vinification: Grapes de-stemmed and crushed, then fermented at 28-30°C, with automatic daily punch-downs, followed by 12-15-day maceration.
Aging: At end of fermentation, wine goes into small and medium oak barrels in March-April for 12-18 months’ maturation. The lots are blended and bottled, with 6-10 months’ ageing in glass.
Production: 3,750 cases made.
Fèlsina's 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia bristles with energy, with veins of underlying acidity that give the wine its focus and drive. Dark red cherry, plum, rose petal, herb and licorice are some of the signatures. Most of the Fèlsina Chianti Classicos are defined by their dark fruit and savory notes, but the Rancia is also wonderfully bright and lifted from start to finish while staying very much true to the house style. Today, the Rancia gives the impression it will unwind at a glacial pace. I imagine most bottles of the 2013 will be drunk before the wine truly enters its prime.- Antonio Galloni 96+ Points
Here is another highlight of the vintage. The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is a dark, moody and sophisticated wine. It does not reveal itself immediately or in any obvious way. Instead, it doses out its intensity in careful measurements. The whole performance is seductive to say the least. That slow momentum leads to dark cherry with spice, grilled herb, wet earth and dried rose. Felsina's Riserva Rancia is a very elegant wine, both on the nose and in the mouth. - Robert Parker 95 Points
This red is dense and smooth, with muscular tannins supporting the black cherry, plum, sweet spice and earth flavors. Stays fresh and long on the aftertaste of earth, spice and tobacco notes. Best from 2018 through 2030. 4,000 cases made.–BS - Wine Spectator Magazine 92 Points
