The 2020 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve, a Sangiovese from Tuscany, Italy, is a highly praised red wine that has garnered excellent reviews from multiple professional critics. This wine is produced by Fontodi and is known for its organic cultivation methods.
James Suckling awarded this vintage a remarkable score of 97, describing it as "extremely floral with sage and licorice to the berry and dark cherry aromas." He appreciates its medium body and "fine and silky tannins" which contribute to a "crunchy" and "vivid" palate. Suckling suggests that this wine will be best enjoyed after 2025.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave the 2020 Flaccianello della Pieve a high score of 96. The review highlights its "beautiful intensity" and balance, noting that it features "dark fruit, crushed stone, spice and wild rose." The wine is praised for its elegance, depth, and ripeness, with Parker's publication stating that it "wraps smoothly over the palate with substantial fruit weight and sweet tannins." This vintage is noted for its versatility, being suitable for aging or immediate consumption. The production volume is mentioned as 60,000 bottles.
Vinous echoes these sentiments with another 96-point score, pointing out the wine's origins from Fontodi's vineyards, particularly those with "very dense, heavy rocks." The review describes the wine as "dark, pliant and inviting," with flavors of "black cherry, plum, spice, lavender, licorice and mocha" that are seamlessly integrated. The wine's maturation process included a year and a half in barrique (40% new) and six months in cask, indicating a well-thought-out aging process.
Wine Spectator also rated this wine at 96 points, calling it "sophisticated, complex and balanced." The review highlights its "black cherry, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice aromas and flavors," with refined and well-integrated tannins. The fruit presence is noted to persist throughout, defining the finish. Wine Spectator suggests that this wine will be best appreciated between 2026 and 2043, with a production of 4,000 cases and 1,600 cases imported.
In summary, the 2020 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve is a highly regarded Sangiovese with accolades for its complexity, balance, and aging potential. Each review praises its distinct characteristics and the meticulous care in its production.