2001 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Del Sorbo

The takeaway from this historic tasting is obvious: the Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo is Fontodi's flagship wine. It's as simple as that.

Although Fontodi is best known for their 100% Sangiovese Flaccianello – one of Italy's most revered and coveted wines – over the years it is the estate's Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo that has built the more distinguished track record. Complete verticals of both wines over the last two years confirmed what has long been an intuition; Vigna del Sorbo is a more consistent performer than Flaccianello, ages better and is a much more finessed, pedigreed wine. Readers who aren't familiar with Vigna del Sorbo owe it to themselves to check it out what is without question one of the great reds of Italy.

To read the entire article, which includes a history of the estate and Vigna del Sorbo, click here.

Giovanni Manetti continues to turn out some of Italy's most compelling wines at Fontodi. Located in Panzano, the estate's 70 hectares of organically farmed vineyards are all in the famous Conca d'Oro subzone. The estate's top wine, the 100% Sangiovese Flaccianello della Pieve, was first produced in 1981. Flaccianello began its history as a single-vineyard wine. Over the last few years Manetti has begun to gradually re-plant portions of the vineyard. With the 2001 vintage Flaccianello is most accurately described as a selection of the estate's best fruit rather than a single-vineyard Sangiovese. As good as Flaccianello can be, readers should not ignore the estate's other wines, which are equally outstanding. Fontodi's Chianti Classico (100% Sangiovese aged in used barrique) is typically on of the region's best and the Riserva Vigna del Sorbo is one of the top Chiantis that employ international varietals. My recent visit at Fontodi ended with a tasting of several older vintages of Flaccianello, including the 1982, which was breathtaking for its poise and sheer beauty of expression. Simply put, I can't say enough good things about Giovanni Manetti and the wines of Fontodi.