1990 Fontodi Flaccianello Della Pieve
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
This vintage marks the year current proprietor Giovanni Manetti took on his managerial role at Fontodi (with his brother and uncle by his side). This wine was tasted from magnum, because only magnums are left in the winery library at this point (although total production in 1990 was about 30,000 bottles across both small and large formats). The 1990 Flaccianello della Pieve represents a new chapter in this historic retrospective. Starting with this wine, we begin to comprehend the completeness of Flaccianello and the direction this wine would take in the vintages to follow this one. Remember, back in those days, grapes were sourced from a single vineyard (today, they represent a selection across many sites in the Conca d'Oro of Panzano). This beautiful edition from 1990 shows great balance and texture, completed by smoke, spice and black olive. The wine exhibits gorgeous freshness and a tonic character that should carry it through more time in the bottle. In fact, I can give this magnum a longer drinking window with a greater level of confidence. This vintage saw a rather hot summer and an early harvest (grapes came off the vines at the end of September) with clusters that were smaller, denser and darker than average.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1990 Flaccianello della Pieve (magnum) boasts extraordinary richness and power. Smoke, licorice, tar, graphite and plums are some of the many notes that jump from the glass in this rich, head spinning wine. The flashy, opulent personality of the year comes through in spades. There is a pronounced hint of sweetness and smokiness on the finish that this wine has had since the beginning. At this point, it is pretty clear that note will always remain.
The 1990 Flaccianello della Pieve (magnum) boasts extraordinary richness and power. Smoke, licorice, tar, graphite and plums are some of the many notes that jump from the glass in this rich, head-spinning wine. The flashy, opulent personality of the year comes through in spades. There is a pronounced hint of sweetness and smokiness on the finish that this wine has had since the beginning. At this point, it is pretty clear that note will always remain. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Jun 2012, www.robertparker.com
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.