2022 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale, Tuscany

This rich, fruity wine shows huge complexity. Aromas of plums, black cherries, fresh violets and licorice with touches of leather and graphite. Full-bodied, it displays a well-tamed structure, with firm tannins coated in fruit and chewy acidity that keeps the finish fresh and in balance. From organically grown grapes. Try from 2027.

97 points James Suckling

Long before the term Super Tuscan entered the wine lexicon, Flaccianello della Pieve was helping redefine the possibilities of Sangiovese in Tuscany. First released in 1981, this remarkable wine was born from Giovanni Manetti's belief that the finest parcels of Fontodi's vineyards deserved to stand alone, free from the constraints of appellation rules. Today, Flaccianello is regarded as one of Italy's great wines and a benchmark for pure Sangiovese on the world stage.

The fruit comes exclusively from Fontodi's organically farmed vineyards in the Conca d'Oro of Panzano, one of Chianti Classico's most celebrated natural amphitheatres. Galestro soils, warm days and cool nights provide ideal conditions for producing Sangiovese of concentration, perfume and finesse. The superb 2022 vintage delivered fruit of exceptional purity and balance, allowing the vineyard character to shine with remarkable clarity and precision.

Deep ruby garnet in colour, the bouquet is profoundly expressive, revealing aromas of black cherry, wild strawberry and blood orange layered with violet, sweet spice and Mediterranean herbs. As the wine opens, notes of tobacco leaf, cedar, graphite and earthy nuances emerge, adding extraordinary complexity and intrigue. The palate is powerful yet impeccably refined, combining vibrant red and dark fruits with beautifully sculpted tannins and fresh acidity. There is immense concentration beneath the wine's elegance, while the finish unfolds for minutes with savoury detail, mineral precision and lingering floral perfume.

This is a wine for memorable occasions, pairing magnificently with bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised short ribs, wild boar ragù, truffle dishes or aged Pecorino Toscano. While already captivating with extended decanting, Flaccianello possesses the balance and pedigree to evolve gracefully for decades.