In the glass
Aroma: blackberry, underbrush, violet, sweet spice
Palate: black cherry, graphite, cedar, dried herbs
One of the original Super Tuscans, born 1981. Sangiovese-Cabernet blend with juicy blackberry, underbrush and graphite, capable of cellaring beyond 20 years.
What it pairs with
-
Charcoal-grilled ribeye
Cabernet's cedar finds the char; Sangiovese acid cuts the marbling. -
Wild boar pappardelle
Sangiovese's earthy lift on game ragu, with Cabernet weight on the back palate. -
Aged Parmigiano with balsamic
Crystalline Parmigiano salt sharpens the wine; balsamic mirrors the sweet-spice register.
How to serve Concerto di Fonterutoli
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Charcoal-grilled ribeye, Wild boar pappardelle, Aged Parmigiano with balsamic. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Concerto was first bottled in 1981 as part of Mazzei's experimental phase with new training systems and grape blends, and was one of the early Super Tuscans. The wine has retained an 80/20 Sangiovese-Cabernet recipe.
- 1981 — First Concerto di Fonterutoli vintage, one of the original Super Tuscans
Facts
- Producer
- Marchesi Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli
- Grapes
- Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%)
- Classification
- Toscana IGT
- Oak
- 18 months in small French oak: tonneaux for Sangiovese, barriques for Cabernet Sauvignon; three months in concrete tank
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 45 to 75 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1981
Scores
- Wine Advocate 94 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
- James Suckling 95 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Concerto di Fonterutoli
What does Concerto di Fonterutoli taste like?
On the nose, blackberry, underbrush, violet, sweet spice. On the palate, black cherry, graphite, cedar, dried herbs. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, high acidity with a long finish. One of the original Super Tuscans, born 1981. Sangiovese-Cabernet blend with juicy blackberry, underbrush and graphite, capable of cellaring beyond 20 years.
When should I drink Concerto di Fonterutoli?
Drink 5 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Concerto di Fonterutoli?
Charcoal-grilled ribeye is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Wild boar pappardelle and Aged Parmigiano with balsamic. Cabernet's cedar finds the char; Sangiovese acid cuts the marbling.
What grapes are in Concerto di Fonterutoli?
The blend is Sangiovese (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%). The wine is classified as Toscana IGT.