2011 Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" Toscana

“Rich and opulent, with a sheen to the black currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Additional notes of thyme, leather, mineral and tar add depth, while the burly tannins still ride roughshod on the finish. Nonetheless, all the components are there and this shows fine length. A more muscular style for this wine, reflecting the vintage. Sangiovese. (BS)” (07/2018)

“The blackberry, currant, nutmeg and chocolate aromas follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and lots of savory fruit. Some balsamic and citrus fruit underneath it all. Needs a little time to soften. Pure Sangiovese. From organically grown grapes.” (09/2014)

“The 2011 and 2012 vintages are close cousins, with the 2011 Flaccianello della Pieve appearing a bit softer and plumper around the midsection. This was a notoriously warm vintage that saw sugar and phenolic ripeness shoot up very quickly at the end of the growing season. Indeed, this wine produces a noticeable level of sweetness on the finish, all surrounded by jammy flavors of cherry confit and blackberry marmalade. (ML)” (07/2019)

“(100% sangiovese): Good deep, bright red. Knockout nose combines liqueur-like red fruits, minerals, aromatic herbs and spicy oak. Sappy and suave, with extremely deep red and dark berry, mineral and Oriental spice flavors framed by harmonious acidity. Still a bit youthfully aggressive today, finishing with firm, building tannins and outstanding length. An exceptionally successful Flaccianello; in fact, I predict it will turn out to be one of the top three Chianti-area wines of the 2011 vintage. (ID)” (09/2014)

“The 2011 Flaccianello della Pieve has come along quite nicely over the last year. The signatures of the unusually warm, dry vintage are very much in evidence in the wine's profile and overall weight. At the same time, the richness and overall unctuousness suggest the 2011 will drink well earlier than some of the surrounding vintages - once it sheds some baby fat. (AG)” (09/2015)

“A precocious year from bud break all the way through to harvest in mid-September. Towards the end of August, a heat spike caused some shrivelling of berries, making careful sorting necessary. The wine is fruity rather than graceful in character, the generous ripeness showing through with macerated cherry and currant flavours offset by balsamic and tobacco nuances. This is already starting to demonstrate some evolution though the palate, but has serious structure and density for at least another seven to eight years of ageing. In this vintage, Manetti started reducing the percentage of new wood. (MM)” (10/2018)

“24 months in French barriques. Dark crimson. Rich and sweet on the front palate with all the kick of ripe Sangiovese behind. Dramatic. Long. Fiery. Concentrated. A very different style to Isola e Olena’s. (JR)” (09/2014)