Reviews
The nose has a crackly, unusual sweetness, with notes of buttery popcorn, marzipan, hazelnuts and candied lemon peel. The butteriness gives the palate a creamy mouthfeel, but sour, astringent undertones of citrus keep the sweeter flavors from languishing.
A solid chardonnay with sliced cooked apple, vanilla and crushed stone. Full and flavorful. Layered, with tension and focus. Attractive new-wood undertones throughout, adding to the complexity without being overpowering. Drink or hold.
This is a delightful Tuscan chardonnay with just the right combination of freshness and concentration on the nose – all the more impressive, given it’s from the difficult 2017 vintage. Freshly picked daffodils, apricots, peach pit, fresh mangoes and a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied and very oily on the palate, but the medium acidity does well to keep this taut and on topic.
Plenty of sliced apple and honey character with hints of minerals. Medium to full body with fruit and honey. Crisp finish. Drink now.
An oily chardonnay with lots of density and intensity. Shows focus and beauty. Full and flavorful. Dried lemon and apple character. Full Burgundy treatment here; Tuscan style. Drink now.
A pretty, lightly wooded Chardonnay with minerals and a dried apple and peach character. Medium-to-full body with crisp acidity and a clean finish. Perfect beach wine. Drink now. – James Suckling (7/2013)
Castello Banfi in Tuscany does a great job with Chardonnay, as evidenced by this wine. It’s rich and soft, with bright aromas of peach, citrus, vanilla and savory herb. A pinch of acidity on the finish works beautifully as well. – M.L. (10/1/2012)
| Review product name | Reviewer | Rating | Review text | Date posted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Castello Banfi Fontanelle Chardonnay IGT | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
The nose has a crackly, unusual sweetness, with notes of buttery popcorn, marzipan, hazelnuts and candied lemon peel. The butteriness gives the palate a creamy mouthfeel, but sour, astringent undertones of citrus keep the sweeter flavors from languishing. |
September 12, 2023 |
| 2019 Fontanelle Chardonnay | James Suckling | 92 pts |
A solid chardonnay with sliced cooked apple, vanilla and crushed stone. Full and flavorful. Layered, with tension and focus. Attractive new-wood undertones throughout, adding to the complexity without being overpowering. Drink or hold. |
January 7, 2022 |
| 2017 Fontanelle Chardonnay | James Suckling | 91 pts |
This is a delightful Tuscan chardonnay with just the right combination of freshness and concentration on the nose – all the more impressive, given it’s from the difficult 2017 vintage. Freshly picked daffodils, apricots, peach pit, fresh mangoes and a touch of vanilla. Full-bodied and very oily on the palate, but the medium acidity does well to keep this taut and on topic. |
October 22, 2019 |
| 2016 Fontanelle Chardonnay | James Suckling | 92 pts |
Plenty of sliced apple and honey character with hints of minerals. Medium to full body with fruit and honey. Crisp finish. Drink now. |
March 23, 2018 |
| 2015 Fontanelle Chardonnay | James Suckling | 93 pts |
An oily chardonnay with lots of density and intensity. Shows focus and beauty. Full and flavorful. Dried lemon and apple character. Full Burgundy treatment here; Tuscan style. Drink now. |
September 15, 2016 |
| 2012 Fontanelle Chardonnay | James Suckling | 90 pts |
A pretty, lightly wooded Chardonnay with minerals and a dried apple and peach character. Medium-to-full body with crisp acidity and a clean finish. Perfect beach wine. Drink now. – James Suckling (7/2013) |
November 18, 2013 |
| 2011 Fontanelle Chardonnay | Wine Enthusiast | 90 pts |
Castello Banfi in Tuscany does a great job with Chardonnay, as evidenced by this wine. It’s rich and soft, with bright aromas of peach, citrus, vanilla and savory herb. A pinch of acidity on the finish works beautifully as well. – M.L. (10/1/2012) |
March 8, 2013 |