#22 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023
A beautiful Riserva Sangiovese from the Classico territory of Tuscany. Compelling stuff, the complexity and depth in this wine are something to behold. From the southern tip of Classico, where the wines are very akin to the highly refined Brunellos of nearby Montalcino, this packs the expressive red fruit fruits with gentle savoury and mineral power. Structured and utterly complete, it is a must for the decanter or cellar.
94/100 Wine Spectator (2020 Vintage)
"A solidly built red introduced by aromas of mint, lavender and wild rosemary. Shows cherry, raspberry, earth, iron, sanguine and tobacco flavours allied to an almost viscous texture as this cruises to the long finish. Impressive now, yet will be better in three to five years. Best from 2026 through 2045."
94/100 JamesSuckling.com (2020 Vintage)
"A juicy and pretty wine with berries, chocolate, and bark. Subtle. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that are slightly chewy and austere now but will soften nicely with age. Better after 2025."
93/100 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2020 Vintage)
"The 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva is another super-classic wine in this range from Fèlsina. Dried herbs, game, scorched earth, tobacco, incense and dark fruit infuse the Riserva with tons of nuance. The Riserva conveys tons of village character as well as the house style."
93/100 Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2020 Vintage)
"In a bottle with a black label, the Fèlsina 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga shows an open-knit quality with soft fruit flavours of dark cherry and baked plum. Those fruit flavours are followed by pretty mineral notes and light spice. That openness and those sweet cherry flavours are characteristic of the warm 2020 growing season. The wine finishes with bright acidity that is typical of Sangiovese."