Felsina Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (37.5cl, 14%)

This is a Tuscan dessert wine from Fattoria di Felsina in Castelnuovo Berardenga, made under the Chianti Classico denomination. It comes in a 37.5cl half-bottle at 14% vol. The blend is roughly 80% Malvasia and Trebbiano with 20% Sangiovese, an unusual addition for a Vin Santo. The grapes are laid on mats and dried through the winter until February, then the concentrated must goes into small sealed oak casks holding the madre, the residue left from earlier vintages. The nose shows candied fruit, dried apricot, honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, toasted hazelnut and orange peel. The palate is rich and viscous, with butterscotch, caramel, vanilla and salted almond, lifted by bright acidity. The finish is long and builds, with butterscotch, bitter almond and warm spice.