2013 Chianti Classico Colonia Gran Selezione

Castelnuovo Berardenga. 100% Sangiovese. Deep, maturing ruby with bright bricky rim. Finely perfumed brooding nose suggesting richness. Hint of camphor. Concentrated but contained richness on the palate with fine, polished tannins and lots of fruit framed by fresh acidity. Elegant and truly ageworthy. (WS)

Volume, power and breadth are the signatures of the 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia. This is the first vintage in which Colonia falls in line with the rest of the Fèlsina range from a stylistic standpoint. Among other things, the use of French oak is much more measured than it was in Colonia's first vintages. Next to the flagship Rancia, Colonia is a sleeker, and perhaps a bit more polished, although it doesn't quite offer the same direct expression of Sangiovese.

Fèlsina's 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia takes things up another notch. Powerful and vibrant, the 2013 possesses magnificent intensity of fruit, bright, salivating acidity and beams of tannin to wrap it all up. The 2013 is the most vivid, translucent Colonia to date, but it also possesses incredible depth and exceptional overall balance. Red plum, rose petal, mint and sage are some of the nuances that linger on the potent finish. The 2013 has really come together over the last year. Today, it is superb.