Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale IGT 2010
Fontodi

Our Score: 95

The Fontodi estate, close to Panzano in Chianti, is nestled in the golden valley of Chianti DOCG, and has quite a story.

The owner, Giovanni Manetti, started more than 30 years ago to farm organically and to believe in “Sangiovese in purity”, going against the rules of the time, which mandated the addition of other indigenous grapes – Colorino, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo to name a few – to Sangiovese for a wine to be called Chianti.

Fontodi decided to break that rule and de-classified his Flaccianello to a table wine for a few years, before being recognized at least with an IGT appellation. Such a provocation ended up being a world success story: Flaccianello is today included in the most prestigious wine lists in the world and is the benchmark for Sangiovese producers. The attentive farming, the meticulous selection of the best berries – both on the vine and right before pressing –, and the 24 months of ageing in barrels all serve to “tame” in the best way the nervousness of Sangiovese.

The 2010 is garnet with shades of ruby. At the nose, it’s floral and fruity, with red violets, blackberries, tobacco, iron, sour cherries, mint and eucalyptus, black pepper, and a hint of shist and wet clay. In the palate it is balanced and structured, the tannins are elegant and the perception of acidity is still relevant, announcing an important aging potential. The finish is complex, persistent and harmonious.

Grape: Sangiovese

Pairing: As much as I can enjoy this wine by itself, it is a fantastic pairing with a rack of lamb and buttered spinach, or a porterhouse with roasted potatoes and porcini mushrooms.

Appellation: Colli Toscana Centrale IGT, Italy