Flaccianello della Pieve Fontodi 2015 (12L)

96+ Points, Christopher Deas, Zachys Buying Team: "The Zachys team tasted this beside the more rustic, and upright, 2015 Vigna del Sorbo. Without a doubt, it is the more concentrated and richer of the two Sangiovese expressions. Where the Sorbo showcases more freshness and vibrancy, the Flaccianello turns up the volume with a little more of everything; ripe and flamboyant, texturally dominating the palate. Sappy, red and black fruit, black cherries marry with plum, violets, licorice, herbs, and spicy oak. It is going to need some time to shed its baby fat, but it is going to be exciting to watch this 2015 with age - amazing how well the ripe 1997 performed at fourteen years of age. It should be noted, where the Vigna del Sorbo is Sangiovese from one prized single vineyard, Flaccianello, since the 2001 vintage is a cuvee of the estate's best fruit from across Panzano's historic vineyards in the Conca. While it is splitting hairs, we slightly prefer the Vigna del Sorbo." 7/2019

98 Points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "I'm hardly surprised to report that Fontodi's 2015 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." 239, 11/18.

98 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2015 Flaccianello della Pieve is truly remarkable. An exotic mélange of black cherry jam, chocolate, grilled herbs and spice melds together in a huge, beautifully layered wine of exceptional class and pedigree. The 2015 manages to be dense and rich, but never overdone. The 2015 spent 20 months in French oak, 80%, followed by 6 months in cask. It is the final phase of aging in large wood that seems to help integrating the smaller oak influence. The 2015 is shaping up to be a modern-day icon. There's not much more to it than that." 2/19.

96-97 Points, James Suckling: "A powerful, full-bodied red with a silky and minerally character. Hints of smoke and wet earth. Great length and beauty." 10/16

96 Points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: "Rich and opulent, with a sheen to the black currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Additional notes of thyme, leather, mineral and tar add depth, while the burly tannins still ride roughshod on the finish. Nonetheless, all the components are there and this shows fine length. A more muscular style for this wine, reflecting the vintage. Sangiovese. Best from 2021 through 2035" Collectibles - 10/15/18