The Manetti family has owned Fontodi since 1969 but has been in Chianti for centuries. Though they have always made wine, their primary business is still the production of Chianti's finest terracotta at their factory in Ferrone. Giovanni Manetti has run the property since 1980 and ensures the wines are as meticulously made as the vineyards are immaculately tended. Their 80 hectares of vineyard, 90% of which are Sangiovese, are situated in the prime 'conca d'oro' (golden shell) of Panzano, and over the past six years these have been converted to organic viticulture. Giovanni is now following biodynamic principles to obtain the best quality fruit.
Vineyards
The Fontodi estate has 80 hectares of vineyards, all of which are found in the Conca d'Oro (the golden shell), an amphitheatre-shaped valley to the south of Panzano. This shape facilitates the full ripening of the grapes. Flaccianello is made from a selection of the best grapes from the best parts of the Fontodi vineyards. The soil here is classic 'galestro', the schistous clay on which the Sangiovese grape produces its best results.
Vintage Information
Giovanni Manetti reports that after a dry winter the spring was mild but the budding out quite limited, with small quantities of fruit. The summer was again hot and dry and the rain came only after mid-August, but still on time. After that there was a great drop of temperatures and the ripening was much slower than usual. The grapes at the harvest were perfectly ripe and healthy because there was no fungus in the summer. The wines are showing a lot of purity, freshness and elegance with beautiful feminine characters.
Vinification
Fermentation and maceration lasted 25 days in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The cap was punched down twice a day during fermentation, which reached a maximum temperature of 30ºC. The wine spent a minimum of 30 days macerating on skins, depending on the individual tank. Once the desired tannin structure had been achieved, the wine was then racked into 100% new French oak barriques (Allier and Troncais) where it remained for 24 months before bottling.
Tasting Notes
Bright, ruby red in colour. The bouquet opens with ripe, dark cherries, violets and plums, complemented by a hint of spice. This wine has wonderful structure and the palate is typically rich and full with characteristic fine, supple tannins. The finish is flavourful and persistent.
Wine Advocate 98 Points!
‘I'm hardly surprised to report that Fontodi's 2017 Flaccianello della Pieve is one of the best wines recorded in this report of new releases from Tuscany. This wine sits as tall and as proud as the Colosseum in Rome or the Pyramids of Giza in its undeniable glory and beauty. It would be impossible to exaggerate its many lasting attributes and qualities. Perhaps the most remarkable is the smooth and seamless nature of its many complicated moving parts. It produces abundant power, intensity and elegance as if this were the easiest accomplishment in the world. But we all know that's far from the truth. Despite the heat of the vintage, this wine is constructed with firm building blocks as if it were from a cooler year. That's the Panzano magic in a nutshell. This vintage is very young and tight, and you need to exercise patience to allow it enough time to evolve.’ 98 Points
- Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate,
Wine Front 97 Points!
"It’s a suave beast of a wine, so dense, oaky, yes, but takes it in its stride. Dark cherry, violet and vanilla custard, new leather and dried herbs. Full-bodied, thick and luxurious, suede and velvet tannin so thick, you can almost stroke it with your tongue. Rich fruit, freshness and savoury flavour, black forest cake too, all rolling and surging through the mouth with a superb long finish, black tea and perfume trailing in its wake. Texture and impact are its calling cards. If you’re a tannin hound, you could drink this now, but the best is yet to come." 97 Points
- Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, Nov 2018
James Suckling 97 Points!
"The aromas are crystal-clear here, ranging from dark cherry essence, dried herbs and dark plums to licorice, cloves, vanilla and paprika. Full body, very velvety yet firm tannins and a long, grippy finish. The tension created with the interplay between the rich fruit, taut acidity and a sturdy tannin backbone is so enticing. Drink in 2022. Made from organically grown grapes." 97 Points
- JamesSuckling.com
