2010 Flaccianello della Pieve

Fontodi fans have a lot to look forward to in these new and upcoming releases. The 2011 Chiantis and Flaccianello are gorgeous, especially within the context of a vintage that was especially warm here, in the heart of Panzano's Conca d'Oro. As readers will read in these notes, the 2011s have off the chart levels of polyphenols and acidity, an alluring and unusual combination to say the least. The new amphora-aged Dino shows proprietor Giovanni Manetti is not content to rest on his laurels. For more on Fontodi, readers might enjoy this short video interview shot with Manetti right after last year's complete vertical of the flagship Vigna del Sorbo. On that subject, Manetti is one of the few proponents of the Gran Selezione designation to use that label on his best wine, the Vigna del Sorbo, although in truth most people would probably say Flaccianello is the flagship. It goes without saying, but it would be great to see Manetti's colleagues show the same courage and conviction in a designation that is meant to highlight the best of Chianti Classico.

Giovanni Manetti's 2010s will one day be regarded as some of his greatest wines. From top to bottom, the Fontodi 2010s are superb. In particular, over the last few years I have been increasingly impressed with the Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo, which will be the subject of an upcoming feature covering every vintage back to the inaugural 1985. In the meantime, readers may want to take a look at this short video shot just after that tasting, or some of my thoughts on the 2010s, also on video. Fontodi fans may be aware that the Manetti family's original business was tile, so it is somewhat ironic that Giovanni Manetti is experimenting with terra cotta amphora, which his family manufactured up until the early 1920s. The 2012 Fontodi Sangiovese in amphora is....special.