‘Flaccianello has routinely been among the most exciting wines in Tuscany’ so writes Antonio Galloni on vinous.com.
As Simon has previously commented, to produce ‘routinely’ exciting wines takes a serious amount of hard work and application in the vineyard. As if evening up the balance, Tuscany has witnessed an exceptionally fine vintage in 2015, following on from a far trickier 2014. Atlas' offer below, on 2015 Fontodi.
You are due to hear a lot more about 2015 as the new releases make their way onto the market. It was characterised by a hot summer, with well-timed rains and significant drops in night time temperatures affording the vine ample respite. Our early tastings suggest that this is shaping up to be an impressive vintage for Sangiovese; the wines show good depth and fine ripeness allied to a great vibrancy. One of our perennial favourites is Fontodi’s impressive Flaccianello and the 2015, which I tasted last week, should be hooked while you have the chance. We offer here at £335 per 6 bottle case in bond.
The vineyards of Fontodi are based in the fabled ‘Conco d’Oro’ (meaning golden shell) below Panzano in Chianti Classico. It is fair to say that some of the finest vineyards in Tuscany can be found in this sweeping south facing basin. The first vintage of Flaccianello was the 1981 and the wine was initially produced exclusively from the vineyard of the same name. However, it has since evolved to become a composite wine made from the finest fruit from the best parts across the estate. It is perhaps this flexibility in approach that has yielded consistently impressive vintages of Flaccianello. In trickier conditions, the freedom to select fruit from a wider span of vineyards can be telling. The soils across the Fontodi vineyards are the classic Tuscan ‘Galestro’ or Schist-based clay which sees Sangiovese yield some of its finest results.
For me, Flaccianello belongs among the very finest expressions of Sangiovese, capable of ageing for decades and offering stunning complexity with time. Please see below for my full note on the 2015 and please do also note that orders will need to be limited to one case per client.
2015 Flaccianello della Pieve, Fontodi
£335 per 6 bottle case in bond
Deep in hue, the 2015 Flaccianello offers dusky dark fruits and spice on the nose, with scents of aromatic herbs. On the palate, it is tightly coiled; there is no lack of tension here, packed as it is with brooding fruits, framed by bold, yet fine tannins. There is an ampleness to the fruit that is only apparent in the finest vintages. And there is no denying the richness and intensity here, the 2015 is going to take some time to show its colours, but this example has all the components present to become something rather special in time. Despite its power, the Fontodi finesse is on show….sleek, pure and with a lifted, fresh quality that seems at odds with the evident ripeness, this is hugely impressive. Drink 2023- 2035+ (SL)