
~ Giovanni Folonari is the current Chairman of the Tenuta di Nozzole Estate ~
Although the Tenuta di Nozzole farm has origins that date back to the 1700s, it wasn’t until Ambrogio Folonari acquired the farm in 1971 that production of fine wines and olive oil began. Today, the estate covers 385 hectares of land, of which 90 are planted to vineyards. Located in the Comune of Greve, the pinnacle of the estate’s production is the 100% Sangiovese Gran Selezione.
The Folonari name has been associated with Italian wine production for generations. In 1882, brothers Italo and Francesco Folonari began expanding their wine business with the purchase of Ruffino. With that came extensive distribution rights, in Italy and abroad, to Chianti Classico bottled in straw wrapped vessels called Fiaschi. As a result of this early success, the family was able to expand and in the early 60s abandoned quantity for quality culminating in the purchase of Tenuta di Nozzole.

~ Tenuta di Nozzole in Greve in Chianti Classico ~
The Tenuta di Nozzle 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is worthy of the designations stature. First produced in the 2013 vintage, the 2015 is the most recent release and only the second vintage for this label. Vinified in stainless steel, the wine remains there for 2 months and then is trasferred to Slavonian barrels of vary sizes. It is 100% Sangiovese.
The wine is deep ruby in the glass with violet reflections. After decanting 1 hour, aromas of violets, coffee, wild berry and toasted tobacco leaf were prevalent. Very interesting, inviting and complex.
On the palate, there is no let up. Juicy, ripe flavors of wild berry are concentrated and fresh. Tobacco and herb notes add complexity to the flavor profile as the sapidity creates a mouth watering texture. The tannins are not shy and shorten the finish slightly, but there is nothing here to make me think this Gran Selezione doesn’t have a bright future. 95 points. About $75. Find this wine.

~ The 2015 Gran Selezione is a wine of stature and breeding. While this is approachable now with some decanting, it is built to age. Try it around it’s 10th birthday ~
The Folonari’s own several other wine estates throughout Italy including properties at the Tuscan coast, in Montalcino and Umbria. Stay tuned for more coverage from these properties including the rare 100% Cabernet, Il Pareto.
Salute!
Another Nozzole property is Tenute del Cabreo. Two interesting wines are produced here. The first is Il Borgo, a cabernet and sangiovese blend that is very good. Very much a family favorite. The second is called Black and is simply a pinot noir wine. It’s very interesting, not really our “thing”, but good wine. We were introduced to Cabreo by a Franco, who used to run the wine shop in Castellina. As was usual his advice was very good.
I do not know about you John but I was and steel remain very sceptical about the CC Gran Selezione status….
Great wines without doubt…but I know several wineries who are stuck with it.
I know there has been a lot talk about Gran Selezione…but reality is a bit different, they are not flying out of the shelf for sure.
In my modest opinion 100% Sangiovese is probably one mistake…and I wish Ricasoli was around to comment.
I can confidently buy almost any CC Riserva, from any producer….but Gran Selezione doesn’t attract me at all….sorry at that point has a consumer $$ I will move to nearby Brunello , where satisfaction is guaranteed ! Cheers ????????
Joe and Montosoli, it is hard for me to disagree. I have had excellent Gran Selezione and have likely loved wines that were both 1) blend and 2) 100% Sangiovese. That said, without looking, I’m willing to bet that the wines I’ve “loved” were $75-$100 and the wines that I thought were “good” were around $40 or so. Those wines are likely directly comparable to CCR. In that case, what’s the difference? I think Brunello is a value compared to Gran Selezione. I have had two amazing Brunello – Tenuta Fanti and Caprili – that will be in Part 1 of my Annual Coverage of the 2015s. Each of those are under $40. They are top level wines. Yes, the Cerretaltos, Valdicavas, and Biondi Santis of the world exist at $100+ but you do not have to spend that kind of money to get excellent Brunello. There’s also more Brunello around then there is GS.
I think GS is the single most controversial subject in Italian wine over the last 10 years. It has polarized smaller producers and left them feeling isolated. 85% or more of the Gran Selezione is produced by large scale producers. That doesn’t mean the wine is bad, but it is easier for them to do. I think that reduces the number of producers than can benefit from it. The risk alienating smaller producers. I think Giovanni Manetti has worked hard to bridge this gap and bring the producers together and it’s still a work in progress. However, more needs to be done. We’ll see how it progresses. In the meantime, hey – we’ve no shortage of good wine to drink! Salute!
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Montosoli, completely agree with you. I have several CC Riservas in the cellar but only once have a found a gran Selezione that I spent the $ on. Like you I would much rather use the $ for Brunello.
FWIW, I think the Montalcino producers have superbly marketed Brunello, they’ve succeeded in creating the consumer opinion that “Brunello” is synonymous with “excellent wine”. This is not true, while there are some really good Brunellos, there are also some that are quite ordinary. (What Brunello means is only that the grapes are from Montalcinco, the wine is made in Montalcino, and the aging standard is met). This equally true of Gran Selezione, some are excellent, some are not. No question that the overall standard is higher and a bit more consistent with Brunello, my point is that “Brunello” in and of itself is no guarantee of quality.
The Brunello marketing has created a significantly higher price point for Brunello compared to Gran Selezione. $100 GS wines are few and far between (off the top of my head I can’t think of one), while $100 is pretty common for Brunello. I’d say a good comparison is that in my opinion a $45 Badi a Passignano GS is better than most $45 Brunellos.
I do agree with the best piece of wine advice I have ever received, “just go ahead and buy a nice Chianti Classico Riserva”. No question on a price/value basis the riservas are excellent.
And all just my opinion, I understand that everyone may not agree.
Steve, I understand what you’re saying but essentially – I think I disagree with you more than agree. Look at my response to Joe and Mont above and let me know your thoughts.. Salute!
I guess my experience is different, but I certainly haven’t tasted nearly as many Brunellos as you:)! I’ve simply found under $50 Brunellos to be generally disappointing. I will try to track down Fanti and Caprili and give them a try. I do totally agree that CC Riservas are often the ‘sweet spot’ in terms of value for price. As always I enjoy the blog and the discussion that flows from it, grazie!
Grazie a te! Never stop chatting. All views are welcomed here and I love to keep the discussion lively.
Steve not sure in which market are you located…but I can assure you there are plenty 2015 Brunello around $50bt + can easily score 90-95 points.
Albatreti, Sesta di Sopra, Terre Nere, Col di Lamo, Voliero, Capanna, San Lorenzo, La Lecciaia, Cava d’Onice, Baricci, Sesta, Ciacci Piccolomini, Villa Le Prata…..those are small-mid size producers worth it the hunt…
Also keep in mind the 2016 Brunello is far better than 2015 in terms of balance, elegance and potential longevity…so I don’t see prices of the 2015 going crazy high, since Covid create a selling delay problems and the 2016 will be on the market in another 8 months. Cheers ????