Fontodi, Flaccianello delle Pieve, Colli della Toscana Centrale 2019

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another stunning wine that sums up the character of the vintage and reflects the sun-drenched beauty of its quintessentially Tuscan surroundings. Giovanni Manetti and his team have two new important wines in the works, but Flaccianello remains an old love and a wine that hits the highest marks for quality consistency vintage after vintage. I tasted this wine next to the 100-point 2016 vintage for friendly comparison, and perhaps the main difference is that the tannins are finer and more accessible in this bottle. It offers rich concentration and layers of dark fruit that wrap thickly over the senses. Tannin management is an active pursuit. Time in barrique has been reduced over the years in favor of a final six-month resting period in larger oak casks. In fact, the barrel room was recently enlarged to give more room to these bigger vessels. The 2019 vintage recalls the balance of 2001 with the freshness of 2013. However, 2019 is more profound.

Also entirely Sangiovese from the best selections across the Fontodi vineyards in the amphitheater of the Conca d'Oro, the 2019 Flaccianello Della Pieve was raised for two years in French oak barrels. It pours a similarly rich red sanguine color and reveals toasty aromas of incense, blackberries, sage, and sappy earth. More robust than the Vigna del Sorbo, it’s full-bodied without being heavy and offers supple, ripe tannins, a seamlessly integrated structure through a long finish, and dark mineral tones that last for days. Another fantastic, age-worthy wine, it’s certain to improve if well stored. Allow it another couple of years and drink 2026-2046.

Blackberry, black-cherry, bark and ink aromas follow through to a full body with tight, integrated tannins and a solid core of fruit at the same time. A little hard and tight now. From organically grown grapes. Needs time to open. Try after 2025.

The 2019 Flaccianello della Pieve is another potent wine from Fontodi in this vintage. That said, it has more than enough mid-palate heft and overall intensity to balance its equally imposing tannins. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, lavender, spice and tobacco fill out the layers. The 2019 needs time to integrate its oak and for the imposing tannins to soften.