Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2018 [1.5L]
(Tuscany, Italy) - [VM 100] [WA 98] [DM 96] [WS 96] [JS 95]

About the Estate:
Fontodi is located in the heart of Chianti Classico precisely in the valley which lies south of the town of Panzano and is called the “Conca d’Oro” (the golden shell) because of its amphitheatre shape. A genuine and characteristic “Terroir”, famous for centuries for its tradition of quality wine cultivation, thanks to a unique combination of high altitude, calcareous clay schist soil, lots of light, and a fantastic micro-climate – warm and dry with a marked difference in day and night-time temperatures

Winemaking:

All Fontodi wines are produced from grapes coming from their own vineyards, picked by hand, chosen with care and vinified in a way that exalts the character of the vines and the territory. The Fontodi Oil “Bio” is produced from its own olives which are delicately pressed the same day as the harvest in order to preserve all the freshness and the fragrance of the fruit.

Vinification:
The process of vinification and ageing in wood takes place in the modern cellar, built on descending levels to take advantage of gravity, guaranteeing the most respect possible for the natural integrity of the grape, in order to exalt the character and elegance of the wines.
Appellation: Colli Toscana Centrale IGT
Grapes: Sangiovese 100%
Vineyards: Selection of the best vineyards
Density: 6.000 vines per hectare
Training: Guyot
Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts for at least 3 weeks. Malolactic in barrels
Aging: In new Tronçais and Allier barrels for at least 18 months
Average: 60.000 bottles

Ratings and Reviews

100 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stellar wine from Fontodi. It is the richest Flaccianello ever made (in terms of dry extract), with elevated acidity that trails the 2016 by just a touch, but it does not taste like that at all. Dark cherry, violet, lavender, spice, mocha and graphite build with a bit of time in the glass. Like the Sorbo, the 2018 Flaccianello is not a wine of size, as in most previous years, but rather a wine that exudes vibrancy, energy and class from start to finish. I absolutely loved it." - Antonio Galloni (Sep 2021)

98+ Points - Luca Gardini:
"One of the most famous so-called ‘Super Tuscan’ from 100% pure Sangiovese. A stunning vineyard selection, then aged in small oak barrels for 24 months. Small red fruits of undergrowth at the nose, raspberry, and red currant, then scents of eucalyptus and nutmeg at the end. The mouthfeel is breathtaking: crispy, dense, intense, vertical with salty tannins. Great persistence with a fruity-salty taste returning." (May 2021)

98 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Generally speaking, I have reservations concerning the 2018 vintage that saw intermittent periods of hot and cold with some rain thrown in at the end of the growing cycle. The 2018 Flaccianello della Pieve blasted straight through any lingering doubt and is the result of a deft winemaking hand. This is a phenomenal and proudly confident vintage of the estate's top Sangiovese, which represents a blend of organic fruit from the best parcels. The wine's personality reveals brooding darkness and austerity, and these impressions are reinforced by savory tones of cigar smoke and earthy leather. The core of the wine is tight and richly concentrated with generous blackberry and plum. The velvety tannins are integrated but still youthful and grippy. You'll definitely need to give this elegant wine more time in the bottle. Production is an ample 60,000 bottles." - Monica Larner (Oct 2021)

96 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Produced since 1981, Flaccianello was a single-vineyard wine up to 2003, then a selection of the best grapes of the estate. Guyot-trained Sangiovese is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts for at least three weeks, then racked in barrels for the malolactic fermentation. It ages for 24 months in barrels. An enticing aroma unfolds its Mediterranean character in the glass with liquorice stick, bergamot, helichrysum, raspberry and cherry in depth. On the palate it shows extremely good volume for the 2018 vintage. Firm and youthful with refined tannins and crisp acidity, this is a wine of straight elegance." - Aldo Fiordelli (Nov 2021)

96 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Ripe black cherry, black currant and blackberry fruit is beautifully displayed on the harmonious structure in this red. Violet, iron and juniper notes add depth, while the aftertaste gets lift from the lively acidity and dusty tannins. Best from 2024 through 2043. 4,000 cases made, 1,600 cases imported." - BS (Web Only - 2021)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"This is a solid red with plenty of fruit and a dense, intense palate with hints of wood and spice. Full-bodied and very structured. Plenty of tannins here. Needs three to four years to soften and come together. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2024." (Aug 2021)