Jay Kline

9.4

This is my 3000th tasting note on Delectable so I suppose I should celebrate by opening something fun. Flaccianello? Ovviamente!

While it’s labeled an IGT and colloquially considered a Super Tuscan, Flaccianello delle Pieve could legally be labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva. However, Giovanni Manetti of Azienda Agricola Fontodi opts not to do so (despite the fact that he’s the current Chairman of the Conzorsio). The name, “Flaccianello delle Pieve” comes from the eponymous single-vineyard; the original source of grapes. However, around the turn of the millennium, Flaccianello became a blend of Fontodi’s best fruit throughout the estate. Over all the years, despite the changes in fruit source and aging regimen, Flaccianello remains 100% Sangiovese and 100% Panzano in Chianti.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2011 pours a deep, translucent garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, raspberries, red flowers, leather, mushrooms, cigar box, menthol, organic earth and wonderful fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, delicious and warming as the alcohol is pretty elevated. But whoa…what a beauty.

Okay, yeah…this is a modern take on Chianti Classico but my goodness, this is undeniably delicious and unabashedly Italian. Back in 2011, Flaccianello was aged in a combination of barriques from Troncais and Allier, all 100% new; an era that was arguably the most modern for this wine. Over the last 10 or so years however, there has been a shift towards less time in new barrique and large casks have now been introduced for the last six months of cellar aging. While I look forward to trying some of these more contemporary examples, I am very impressed with this 2011 and expect it will continue to show well through 2035. — a day ago

Garen Staglin

9.4

Perfect with Veal Milanese. Round fruit a d soft elegant finish. — 4 days ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

2021 | Red Blend
(55% Merlot / 35% Syrah / 10% Sangiovese)
Gaja; Ca'Marcanda Promis
Tuscany; Bolgheri, Maremma, Italy
(88-90; Drink 2025-31)

A last minute substitution for a likely flawed bottle of Fèlsina Rancia...Just one of many chances we take when buying wines on the secondary market. 🤷🏻‍♂️ — 12 days ago

Fabio Franchella

9.3

Vom@Regen in die Traufe? Nein! Vom der Terra di Ea (mit unfertigem Zimmer) zum Emidio ins Zanobi. Welch schöner Ausgang! — 3 hours ago

with Kathrin

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2021 vintage. Nice, semi-entry level Vietti red with bigger bod, grip and "kapow." Holy cow, Batman. 7.17.24. — 9 days ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

Overpriced at a restaurant but delicious and young. 2021. — 20 days ago

Vino Joe

9.2

Pleasant at first pour but underpowered. Needed 45 minutes and decant to start. Improved over time. Darker red than I was expecting. Young wine and quite smooth. Some racy notes at the perimeter but more of an easy drinking succulent Nebbiolo than a brooding one. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Light-medium body. Obviously too youthful but dry and dusty today with the promise of better balance and focus down the road. 7.17.24. — 9 days ago

Zimran Ahmed

9.2

Lovely. Floral nose with a mineral driven, bright attack. Herbal. Olive. A little grippe. Great with seafood. — 3 days ago

Ericsson

9.5

A masterpiece from the Antinori House. This starts of meaty and leathery with some rose petals and evolves to pure bliss with good strength. — 22 days ago