93 1999 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve (IGT - Colli Toscana Centrale) 10/14/17 ($75)
100% Sangiovese 14% alc
Color: Very deep brick red with some browning. (3.5) Bouquet: Tart, flamed cherries, smooth, cedary French oak and charred, dusty earth. (3.5) Body: Heavyweight with fierce acidity and very good fruit along with plenty of persistent, yet smooth tannins. Coats the mouth with some astringency and impressive liveliness for 18. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but fruit could be more expressive. A little austere. Fruit may be starting to dry out? (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, still long and tangy. (3.0)
Overall: Very lively with plenty of structure to last another 5 years or more, but the fruit is restrained and may be starting to dry out. Still shows excitement with fierce acidity, flamed cherry fruit, charred earth and cedary oak. Needed to be decanted a couple of hours to become more open. Stands up to food beautifully. Not quite the '97, but more impressive than the '01 at this point. I would say drink now to be safe, but might improve in the next 5 years. (16.5)
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