92 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 12/23/06 ($60)
Color: Medium deep garnet with some clearing and onion skin. Approaching ready. (3.0) Bouquet: Dried maraschino cherries, cigarbox and almonds with excellent acidity. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with acidity, significant fruit and complexity. Well-balanced, but a little young. (3.0) Flavor: Acidity propelled, almond and pistachio infused cherry fruit. Could be richer and more giving. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but longer and more intense. (3.5)
Overall: Still young with vibrant acidity and slightly closed fruit, but classy with excellent concentration and balance. It shows much better after about 2 hours in a decanter. Everything is in the right place here. With a little luck it could approach greatness in the next 2-4 years. Classic Tuscan Sangiovese fruit, terroir and cigarbox. (16.0)