Jay Kline

9.4

This is my 3000th tasting note on Delectable so I suppose I should celebrate by opening something fun. Flaccianello? Ovviamente!

While it’s labeled an IGT and colloquially considered a Super Tuscan, Flaccianello delle Pieve could legally be labeled as a Chianti Classico Riserva. However, Giovanni Manetti of Azienda Agricola Fontodi opts not to do so (despite the fact that he’s the current Chairman of the Conzorsio). The name, “Flaccianello delle Pieve” comes from the eponymous single-vineyard; the original source of grapes. However, around the turn of the millennium, Flaccianello became a blend of Fontodi’s best fruit throughout the estate. Over all the years, despite the changes in fruit source and aging regimen, Flaccianello remains 100% Sangiovese and 100% Panzano in Chianti.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2011 pours a deep, translucent garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, raspberries, red flowers, leather, mushrooms, cigar box, menthol, organic earth and wonderful fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, delicious and warming as the alcohol is pretty elevated. But whoa…what a beauty.

Okay, yeah…this is a modern take on Chianti Classico but my goodness, this is undeniably delicious and unabashedly Italian. Back in 2011, Flaccianello was aged in a combination of barriques from Troncais and Allier, all 100% new; an era that was arguably the most modern for this wine. Over the last 10 or so years however, there has been a shift towards less time in new barrique and large casks have now been introduced for the last six months of cellar aging. While I look forward to trying some of these more contemporary examples, I am very impressed with this 2011 and expect it will continue to show well through 2035. — 3 months ago

Elizabeth Vecseri

9.2

Pretty sure this is the one we had paired with the rack of lamb. It was so soft and smooth from the aging in concrete vats. Lightly fruity and not too heavy on the tannins, it elevated the lamb nicely so that the whole course was not heavy. — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.2

Deep ruby/purple. Forest floor, clove, red currant, red cassis, vanilla, lean Cab Sauv texture. Dark cassis on the palate, cardamom. Chalky elevated tannins. In a good place already. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured from a magnum; no formal notes. This is probably the third or fourth time I’ve had the 2014 Caravina and while it’s still quite primary, this is the best showing yet. Bright red and black fruits with tobacco, a whiff of bell pepper and some baking spices. Firm structure with grippy tannins. The acid is elevated but welcome, particularly since it helped to slice through the fat of the prime rib. Finish is long and satisfying. Drink now and through 2034. — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Tobacco, pyrazene, oak, graphite, blackcurrant, tart red and black fruits, pencil shaving. High acidity, elevated integrated tannins, medium body. Juicy fruit on mid palate. So I called it St Emilion…. 46% Cabernet Sauv, 36% Merlot, ?? Petit Verdot, … — 2 years ago

Matt

9.5

Brightly fruited, firm tannin, moving towards tertiary with plenty of life left in the fruit. Roasted red plum, roasted black cherry, almost red currants. Hot earth, smoke, Ceylon, dried flowers, leather, juniper, creosote, white pepper. VA is elevated but works nicely for me, lift and almost tightens up the palate somewhat. Almost every 2014 Priorat I’ve had has been awesome and bright, distinctive minerality in spades — 3 years ago

Nicolas Greinacher

9.7

The 2001 Le Clos du Caillou Reserve is probably the most thrilling effort made by the late Jean-Denis Vacheron. Deep garnet in color, the wine displays intense aromas of dried provence herbs, iodine, dried strawberries, red cherries and plums, blackberry liquor, leather, forrest floor and a dash of white pepper. Full-bodied, the palate is almost overwhelmed by insane levels of fruit concentration and elevated alcohol, but there is just enough acidity to keep everything in balance. The long lasting, persistent finish confirms a wine of outstanding quality. Drink now until 2030. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

A blend of 92% Merlot & 8% Cab Franc, elevated to Premier Grand Cru Classé in 2012, deep Ruby with aromas of black fruits, complex spice and notes of forest floor. On the palate flavors blackberry and black cherry with notes of cacao, espresso and licorice. Fine smooth tannins, great mouthfeel, long finish ending with toasty cedar notes and earthy mineral character. Just starting to show beautifully and will for next decade. Nice! — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.6

VA, dusty forest floor, fresh red cherry and raspberry, cherry liqueur, purple flower - lavender, red prune, just ripe fig, hefty nose of fresh rosemary, blackberry. Elevated acidity, fine pulverized integrated smooth medium tannins, crushed stone, dried red cherry, dried tomato, dried rose petal. Long lingering finish on the tomato leaf notes. This is what was paired with Grilled Lamb at Lazy Bear when we went late Aug 2022. — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

For an entry level this is an overachiever. Smoke, cream fraiche, mineral-laced citrus, yellow peach, -ripe apricot-, white pepper, elevated crescendo acidity, grippy texture with the right amount of phenolic bitterness! Intense and focused. Long finish. — 3 years ago