2003 Flaccianello della Pieve
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Tasting notes
Flaccianello was not produced in 2002 and that's a shame because, as this retrospective shows, the wine shows impressive results in the difficult vintages marked by cool and soggy weather conditions. The 1993 vintage is a great example to cite. However, the wine fares less favorably in the scorching hot vintages, such as the 2003 Flaccianello della Pieve teaches us. This is one of my least favorite wines presented in this retrospective. We opened two bottles to check our impressions, and although there was some noticeable variation between the two samples, my overall review remains the same. The wine is weighed down by heavy and syrupy tones of crème de cassis, dried prune and raisin box. You also get tar, cured meat and smoked bacon. The bouquet shows oxidization and is flat in places with aromas of scorched earth. The wine is not faulted by any measure, but this vintage has matured quickly.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2003 Flaccianello della Pieve has aged well considering the oppressive heat of the year. The tannins will always remain firm and the aromatics are starting to show slight elements of oxidation. I don't see the 2003 ever developing into a great Flaccianello. Readers should consider drinking the 2003 over the next 5-7 years at most. This is a decidedly huge, opulent Flaccianello, but the wine's extroverted qualities are as well balanced as one could reasonably hope for.
A very exotic nose. Rich. Voluptuous. Not too dry. Another example of a very successful 2003 in Chianti country. (JR)
The 2003 Flaccianello della Pieve (100% Sangiovese aged in 100% new oak) is another winner from this estate. Still extremely primary, it exhibits a dark color and plenty of concentration on its ample, full-bodied frame, with generous ripe fruit and sweet toasted oak flavors. It shows outstanding persistence and enough acidity to provide balance, with a lingering note of sweetness on the finish that is typical of the vintage. Today the oak is still quite prominent and the aromatic qualities are not yet fully developed, but Flaccianello has a track record of maturing into a splendid wine and I have no doubt that will be the case here as well. It is a terrific effort from Fontodi.
About the producer
Based just outside Panzano-in-Chianti, Chianti Classico estate Fontodi was acquired by the Manettis in 1968, a family which has established its modern reputation. Today the leading property is best known for its Flaccianello delle Pieve, the pure Sangiovese Super Tuscan first made in 1981.