Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2008

 Bright, ruby red in colour. The bouquet opens with ripe, dark cherries, violets and plums, complemented by a hint of spice. This wine has great structure and the palate is typically rich and full with the characteristic fine, supple tannins of the vintage. The finish is flavourful and persistent.

 

Fontodi

The Manetti family has owned Fontodi since 1969, but has been in Chianti for centuries - though they have always made wine, their primary business is still the production of Chianti’s finest terracotta at their factory in Ferrone. The same attention to detail that makes them the best producers of terracotta has been brought to bear on Fontodi over the past 40 years, and has transformed a crumbling farmhouse with a few hectares of vineyard into one of Chianti Classico’s most impressive estates.

Giovanni Manetti has run the property since 1980, building a new cellar in 1998 and ensuring that the wines are as meticulously made as the vineyards and cellar are immaculately tended.

Giovanni’s 80 hectares of vineyard, 90% of which are Sangiovese, are situated in the prime ‘conca d’oro’ (golden shell) of Panzano, giving wines of supreme elegance, intensity and longevity. The south facing vineyards and their natural amphitheatre shape allows the grapes to ripen fully. Soils here are allows for excellent drainage and encourages the vines to put down deep roots. Giovanni has converted to organic viticulture in the past six years, and is now following biodynamic principles in order to obtain the best quality fruit. In the winery, his approach is similarly non-interventionist (very low toast oak, for example) in order to ensure that the quality of the fruit is preserved in the finished wine.