Lots of ripe fruit with a smoky meaty bacon and cherry character - even dried mango and other fruits. Full and round tannins with bright acidity and an intense finish. Loads going on here. New wood is a little overpowering now but will come around wonderfully. Give it three to four years of bottle age still.

(95+) The 2007 Flaccianello della Pieve captures the essence of this great Tuscan vintage. It is a decidedly sexy opulent wine bursting at the seams with rich red berries mint and spices. The tannins are present but virtually undetectable under layer after layer of fruit. There is no question the 2007 is seamless opulent and full-bodied. Readers who prefer more structured wines will gravitate to vintages such as 2001 and 2004. I find the 2007 utterly irresistible. It will also drink better earlier than some of the most classic vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. 95+ points. 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

A generous Sangiovese with loads of blackberry dark cherry and berry on the nose and palate. Full long and chewy. The new wood could stand to have a little less barley flavor but the fruit is fabulous. Takes off on the finish. Gorgeous. Best after 2012.-J.S.