The 2004 Flaccianello della Pieve is super elegant polished and impeccably refined just as it always has been. At the same time it is one of the bigger 2004s from Tuscany readers will come across. Dark red berries flowers spices and menthol are layered into the finish. Today the aromatics aren't fully developed but that should not be an issue in another few years. There is plenty of underlying structure to support many years of fine drinking. The quality of the tannins is particularly fine especially next to the other great Flaccianellos. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. This complete vertical of Fontodi's flagship 100% Sangiovese Flaccianello was yet another of the remarkable tastings of my recent trip to Tuscany. Flaccianello is an interesting wine because the quality level that is the norm today only really starts around 2001. Prior to that the wines were very good and sometimes even better than that but not profound. In 2001 proprietor Giovanni Manetti made the decision to focus on his estate's best fruit rather than making Flaccianello as a single-vineyard wine. Since then Flaccianello has routinely been among the most exciting wines in Tuscany... -Antonio Galloni