Introduction: Flaccianello della Pieve is one of Italy's landmark wines — a pure Sangiovese first produced in 1981, when Giovanni Manetti, barely twenty years old, worked with consultant Franco Bernabei to create something the Chianti Classico rules of the era could not contain. At the time, DOCG law required white grapes in Chianti blends, so Flaccianello was bottled as an IGT — one of the founding expressions of what the world came to call Super Tuscans. Over four decades later it remains the definitive statement of what the Conca d'Oro's best old-vine Sangiovese can achieve: a wine of the highest caliber that has received multiple 100-point scores, appeared in Wine Spectator's Top 10 wines of the world multiple times, and earned Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri for the estate thirteen times.

Terroir: Flaccianello is sourced from a selection of Fontodi's three best old-vine parcels in the Conca d'Oro — the south-facing natural amphitheatre above Panzano, planted on dense, rocky soils of Galestro (clay schist) and Alberese (compact limestone) at 400 to 500 meters above sea level. The amphitheatre shape concentrates sunlight and warmth from every angle while significant diurnal temperature swings at elevation preserve freshness and acidity through the growing season. The 2020 vintage in Tuscany was warm and generous — a year that produced wines of extra density and accessible fruit, with naturally ripe tannins and excellent structure that critics broadly agree rewards cellaring through the 2040s.

Appearance: Deep, dark ruby red with a vivid, concentrated core — richly pigmented and brilliant in the glass.

Nose: Lavender, wild rose, and sage open an intensely floral bouquet, giving way to black cherry, plum, licorice, and spice. Hints of mocha, balsamic, and ripe Amarena cherry add complexity and depth, while the estate's signature stony minerality threads through throughout. The 2020 shows unusual florality and aromatics for Flaccianello — crunchy and expressive in a way that distinguishes it from warmer, weightier prior vintages.

Palate: Full-bodied, dark, and seamlessly layered — black cherry, plum, spice, lavender, and mocha are pliant and deeply concentrated without heaviness. The 18 months in 40% new French Tronçais and Allier barriques followed by 6 months in large casks adds structure and spice while the wine's natural acidity and fine, silky tannins maintain precision and length throughout. Rich yet restrained, with the balance of depth and energy that defines the very finest Panzano Sangiovese.

Finish: Exceptionally long and mineral-driven, with dark cherry, walnut, balsamic herbs, and a persistent saline, stony quality that sustains the close well beyond the fruit. The tannins are present but ripe and polished — focused and authoritative without aggression.

Food Pairings:
🥩 Meat: Bistecca alla Fiorentina, slow-braised wild boar with olives and rosemary, or roasted rack of lamb with herbs
🥦 Vegetarian: Black truffle and porcini tagliatelle, roasted eggplant with aged Pecorino, or ribollita with the finest Tuscan olive oil
🧀 Charcuterie Board: Aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano Stagionato, truffle honey, Finocchiona salami, and dried figs

Overall Impression: The 2020 Flaccianello della Pieve is one of the finest expressions in this wine's 40-year history — a dense, floral, and seamlessly balanced Sangiovese of genuine grandeur from one of Italy's most celebrated estates. The vintage's warmth gives it unusually approachable fruit and pliant tannins for Flaccianello, but the structure and acidity ensure a trajectory through 2045 and beyond. Decant for at least an hour if drinking now; patience will be richly rewarded. Serve at 63–65°F.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 14.5%
Farming Practices: Certified organic; biodynamic practices including Chianina cattle; estate-grown; indigenous yeast fermentation; no synthetic chemicals or herbicides; gravity-fed cellar; hand-harvested
Producer Name: Fontodi (Giovanni Manetti)
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Italy
Region: Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT — Conca d'Oro, Panzano in Chianti, Tuscany Grape Varietals:Sangiovese 100%
Vintage: 2020
Wine Style: Dry Red — Full-bodied, deeply structured, and mineral-driven, with a dark concentrated Sangiovese profile shaped by old-vine Galestro and Alberese terroir and new French oak aging. One of Italy's most age-worthy Sangiovese wines; built for long-term cellaring of 20 or more years. 
Winemaking Techniques: Hand-harvested; fermentation and maceration in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts for a minimum of 3 weeks; malolactic fermentation completed in barrel; aged 18 months in Tronçais and Allier French oak barriques (40% new); additional 6 months in large oak casks; estate-bottled; production approximately 60,000 bottles
Pack Size: 750ml
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Cork