Fèlsina
Overview
Fèlsina (Fattoria di Fèlsina) is a benchmark Chianti Classico estate in Berardenga, the southeastern corner of the Chianti Classico zone adjacent to Siena. The estate is associated with elegant, age-worthy Chianti at the classical end of the modern spectrum. Their flagship wine is the single-vineyard Rancia — planted 50+ years ago, produced from 100% Sangiovese, aged in French oak barriques (50% new). From the 2021 vintage, Rancia was elevated to Gran Selezione status. All Fèlsina Chiantis are built for extended cellaring.
Appellations
- Chianti Classico (Berardenga) — Classico, Rancia Riserva/Gran Selezione
Key Wines
Chianti Classico “Rancia” Gran Selezione (formerly Riserva)
Single vineyard, 100% Sangiovese; 50+ year-old vines; 50% new French oak barriques; 18–20 months élevage. From 2021 labeled as Gran Selezione. Long aging required: 10–20 years minimum for finest vintages.
Vintages:
- 2021: 94 (2037–2075) — first Gran Selezione; “going to need at least a dozen years”; dark fruit, lavender, brown spices, cedary oak
- 2020: 94 (Riserva; 2037–2075) — “twenty years down the road this lovely vintage is really going to start hitting on all cylinders”
- 1997: 93 (from magnum; at apogee 2025–2035+) — “a fine bottle of fully mature Chianti”
Chianti Classico (standard)
Made to age long; tannins need 3–5 years minimum.
- 2022: 92 (2028–2050+) — classical pedigree; black cherries, gamebird, bonfire, oregano
Style Notes
Resolutely classical, 100% Sangiovese for the top cuvée. French oak rather than the Slavonian botti used in Barolo, but the philosophy is similar: built for long aging, not early fruit appeal. The Rancia’s soils in Berardenga’s warmer southeastern zone give riper, darker fruit than the cooler Panzano/Radda styles, but the wine maintains elegance through 50+ year-old vine concentration.
My Tastings
(none yet)
Sources
sources/articles/VFTC/VFTC July-August 2025 #118.txt— Italian wines section (pages 111–130): Rancia 2021, 2020, 1997; Chianti Classico 2022