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: 2004 Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" Colli della Toscana Centrale

2004 Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" Colli della Toscana Centrale

SKU #1031434 96 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2004 Flaccianello della Pieve is super elegant, polished and impeccably refined, just as it always has been. At the same time, it is one of the bigger 2004s from Tuscany readers will come across. Dark red berries, flowers, spices and menthol are layered into the finish. Today the aromatics aren’t fully developed, but that should not be an issue in another few years. There is plenty of underlying structure to support many years of fine drinking. The quality of the tannins is particularly fine, especially next to the other great Flaccianellos. (AG) Inner quote mark (6/2012)

96 points Wine Spectator

Outer quote mark Bouquet of cedar, sandalwood, decaying cherry and black currant leads off. It's followed by a sleek and well-toned frame, with bright fruit, spice and tobacco notes. Complex, integrated and long on the aftertaste. *Top 100 Wine of 2007* (BS) Inner quote mark (10/2014)

94 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark On first inspection, the 2004 and 2005 vintages were neck in next in terms of immediate appeal, but following further inspection, the 2004 Flaccianello della Pieve came out ahead as my favorite of the two. This vintage shows a greater sense of depth and dimension with a more pronounced point of sharp acidity down deep at the core. This makes a lasting difference. This growing season saw a late harvest (with fruit coming off the vines starting October 5th), and as has been so well documented in this retrospective, Sangiovese loves the longest growing seasons. The bouquet shows fading primary aromas, but the wine still holds strong and still resists any signs of flattening oxidation. Spicy notes of cured meat and bresaola cede to toasted nuts, tar and barbecue smoke. That savory signature is stronger in this vintage (compared to 2005), but it never feels too heavy or thick. In fact, this wine is still tightly wound at the center. It is humming along very nicely. (ML) Inner quote mark (7/2019)

94 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Outer quote mark Medium-deep red. Multifaceted nose offers red- and blackcurrant, flowers, tobacco and licorice, accented by an elegant mineral quality. This displays incredible freshness, with a delicate balsamic quality perfectly framing the red and dark fruit flavors. Finishes extremely long, with spectacularly suave tannins. (ID) Inner quote mark (8/2007)

92 points Wine Enthusiast

Outer quote mark Here's a standout Sangiovese-based super Tuscan with a very unique peppermint-like characteristic that helps to increase the wine's intensity and delicious overall effect. Beyond that layer of fresh mint are softer aromas of earth, white mineral, talc powder, pencil lead, cherry and spice. The wine has a strong mineral component. Inner quote mark (5/2008)

Jancis Robinson

Outer quote mark Very dark, intense and smoky on the nose. Tight and fresh. This tastes pretty modernist in style. Firm and very youthful. 17/20 points (JR) Inner quote mark (6/2015)

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2004 Fontodi "Flaccianello della Pieve" Colli della Toscana Centrale

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Varietal:

Sangiovese

- The most widely planted grape in Italy is Sangiovese, a high-acid grape with moderate to high tannins, apparent earthiness and subtle fruit. It is thought to have originated in Tuscany and its name, which translates to "blood of Jove," leads historians to believe it may date all the way back to the Etruscan period, though historical mentions only go as far back as the early 1700s. Though planted all over modern Italy, the most significant wines made from Sangiovese still come from Tuscany: Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Sangiovese must make up 75% of a blend from the Chianti DOCG t be labeled as such, traditionally allowing for Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia for the remainder, though more recently small proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot have been allowed. In Brunello di Montalcino the wine must be made entirely of Sangiovese. Prugnolo is Montepulciano's name for Sangiovese, and it is used there for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines. In the DOC of Carmignano Sangiovese can be blended with 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. There are also Super Tuscans, IGT wines that blend Sangiovese with large proportions of Cabernet or Merlot. Elsewhere in Italy it is a workhorse grape, though it does find some success (though not the longevity) in the Montefalco and Torgiano wines of Umbria as well as the foundation of Rosso Piceno and a significant element of Rosso Conero from the Marches. Like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese has struggled to find footing outside of Italy, though in recent years California wineries have been having better fortune with grape plantings in the Sierra Foothills/El Dorado County, as well as Sonoma County and the Central Coast.

Country:

Italy

- Once named Enotria for its abundant vineyards, Italy (thanks to the ancient Greeks and Romans) has had an enormous impact on the wine world. From the shores of Italy, the Romans brought grapes and their winemaking techniques to North Africa, Spain and Portugal, Germany, France, the Danube Valley, the Middle East and even England. Modern Italy, which didn't actually exist as a country until the 1870s, once produced mainly simple, everyday wine. It wasn't until the 1970s that Italy began the change toward quality. The 1980s showed incredible efforts and a lot of experimentation. The 1990s marked the real jump in consistent quality, including excellence in many Region that had been indistinct for ages. The entire Italian peninsula is seeing a winemaking revolution and is now one of the most exciting wine Region in the world.

Sub-Region:

Tuscany

Specific Appellation: