94+ 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 9/2/11 ($60)
13.5% alc
Color: Deep garnet with some browning and a little clearing. (3.0) Bouquet: Complex, elegant mixed nuts and dusty cherries with some cigarbox and an attractive flower component. (3.5) Body: A perfectly balanced light heavyweight with excellent acidity and fruit , and a silky mouthfeel. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet step-for-step. (3.5) Finish: Mixed nuts and flowers linger, but not as intense as the bouquet and flavor. Still elegant and complex. (3.0)
Overall: Outstanding, pure Sangiovese with intensity, but also has the elegance of the best Chianti Classico Riservas. All the dusty cherries you'd expect, but also shows complex mixed nuts and aromatic flowers. Just misses greatness for me at this point, but might improve in the next 1-3 years as the complexity comes on more. (16.5)
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