94 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve (IGT - Colli Toscana Centrale) 4/26/14 ($60)
100% Sangiovese 13.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet to brick red. Some browning and clearing. (3.0) Bouquet: Dusty black cherry with spicy cedar and nuances of pistachio and brown sugar. (3.5) Body: Outstanding acidity and smooth tannins with excellent fruit. Rich, silky mouthfeel. Heavyweight. (4.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with significant, smooth tannins adding black pepper spice to the dusty fruit and cigarbox. (3.5) Finish: Tannins make this slightly austere, but long and intense. (3.0)
Overall: An outstanding, intense Sangiovese that drinks more like a Brunello Riserva than anything from Chianti. Still shows significant, smooth tannins, but mature. Shows power and some elegance with outstanding structure and balance. This just misses greatness for me, but could improve by becoming more elegant and complex in the next 5 years. Decant for several hours for now drinking. (17)
Copyright © 2006 - 2014, Paul DeRose , WineOutpost.com