1996 Fontodi Flaccianello Della Pieve
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Flaccianello della Pieve might show a tiny hint of Brettanomyces, but I am prepared to let it slide. The bouquet reveals mature aromas of cured meat, spice, dried orange peel and a fleeting tingle of Band-Aid. It appears to me that when you taste a wine this far along in its evolution (a wine that for all practical purposes has held up very nicely nonetheless), those slightly animal-like aromas are bound to appear in one shape or another. This wine is more broad and far-reaching in terms of mouthfeel, and this sensation adds to the horizontal approach the wine makes in terms of mouthfeel. It finishes with dusty mineral notes of crushed granite and flint.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1996 Flaccianello della Pieve is very, very tight. Hints of inner sweetness struggle to emerge from beneath an imposing wall of tannin. The 1996 still requires quite a bit of patience, but it starts to open up in the glass and seems to have enough fruit to drink well once the tannins soften. I have to say I am intrigued by the 1996.
Medium ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of cassis, black cherry, tobacco and woodsmoke. Penetrating, pungent flavors of cassis and blackberry; dense and delineated. Already offers lovely inner-mouth perfume. Finishes with substantial but supple tannins. A very strong effort for the year.
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.