Fontodi - Flaccianello della Pieve 2019 (1.5L)
Price: $305.00
| Producer | Fontodi |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Varietal | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Sku | 4883 |
| Size | 1.5L |
Wine Advocate: 98 Points
The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However 2019 is more profound. Call it a "lockdown illumination" the COVID-19 pandemic years were especially fruitful for Fontodi's Giovanni Manetti. Given time to reflect and walk through his vineyard rows in the amphitheater of postcard-perfect vines known as the Conca d'Oro in Panzano in Chianti Manetti decided it was time to enlarge his portfolio. Specifically he sought an opportunity to better articulate the concept of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione which is in essence a perfect vehicle for a grand cru winemaking philosophy. His existing Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo is a flagship for this highest category of the appellation but alas it represents just one vineyard site. Fruit is sourced from an area with a greater presence of schistous galestro for dark fruit etched mineral notes and pencil shavings. Now that wine can be seen in context. Two new wines the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leonlino and the Chianti Classico Pastrolo are now in production. They come from radically different sites and soils. "We now have three wines to match three soils" says Giovanni Manetti from his spacious tasting room while morning sun streams in from the windows. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Terrazze San Leonlino comes from a site in Panzano not too far from Vigna del Sorbo. However this little parcel near the San Leonlino country chapel is characterized by limestone alberese that makes fresh wines that are not as dark in character. Equally exciting is the Chianti Classico Pastrolo from old vines in terraced vineyards in high-elevation Lamole. This areas tends to have Macigno Toscano or sandstone. The Conca d'Oro vineyard in Panzano in Chianti has both galestro and alberese with pietraforte (the same hard stone used to build Palazzo Pitti in nearby Florence) at the higher rim of the vineyard. Flaccianello della Pieve is a selection of fruit from various sites with much of it coming from the areas with pietraforte. Giovanni Manetti is pushing the boundaries of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and he is interested in capturing the freshness and transparency of wines identified by their soils. These efforts are timed to the announcement of the new Chianti Classico UGAs or subzones. I also think this post?COVID era represents an exciting new start for Lamole one of the most remote and untouched villages in the wider Chianti Classico appellation. Cooler growing sites are ideal for wineries looking for alternatives in a warmer climate. If a powerhouse estate such as Fontodi continues to invest in Lamole we will certainly see more interest in the area in the years to come.
James Suckling: 96 Points
Blackberry, black-cherry, bark and ink aromas follow through to a full body with tight, integrated tannins and a solid core of fruit at the same time. A little hard and tight now. From organically grown grapes. Needs time to open. Try after 2025.
The Wine Independent: 96 Points
This 2019 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve was originally a single vineyard wine but in recent years it has become a blend of the best Sangiovese from different vineyards. It has a very appealing sweet black cherry nose with some exotic oak spice like sandalwood or incense. It is smoky and creamy on the palate round and spicy with lots of lavish oak which is covering the fruit a little bit right now. It has very attractive tangy acidity and quite firm slightly dry tannins. It is still very young and not quite in complete harmony yet but has great potential to age gracefully. For owner Giovanni Manetti ?The 2019 vintage in Panzano in Chianti had great balance - it was never too hot and never too dry.? Drink 2024 to 2039. Reviewed by: Susan Hulme Reviewed Date: September 28 2022
Vinous: 94 Points
The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another potent wine from Fontodi in this vintage. That said it has more than enough mid-palate heft and overall intensity to balance its equally imposing tannins. Black cherry mocha licorice l
Wine Spectator: 94 Points
This smooth red is highlighted by macerated black cherry blackberry and oak spice flavors. Harmonious with a kick of refined tannins on the long finish. A polished style with the structure to age. Sangiovese. Best from 2023 through 2040. 4000 cases made 1600 cases imported. ? BS
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