2015 Fontodi Flaccianello Della Pieve

The rolling hills of Tuscany are home to ancient vines that grew wild long before modern times. Sangiovese is the variety of the region's best-known wines, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti. In recent years, “Super Tuscans"—blends including non-native Bordeaux varieties—have gained in popularity and acclaim. The region's Mediterranean climate, with its warmer average temperatures, provides ideal conditions for the development of rich, structured, and age-worthy wines. 

Sangiovese is Tuscany’s star variety and the primary grape in Italy’s renowned regions of Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. It is high in both tannin and acid, producing well-balanced wines with medium body and aromas of red cherry, strawberry, fig, plum, and dried herbs. Sangiovese is late-ripening, and therefore requires the warm climate of Tuscany to grow. Wines from Sangiovese are typically aged for a period of time in oak to soften the tannins and add flavors of spice. With bottle age, the best wines develop meaty and gamey aromas. For the best expression of this variety look to producers Biondi-Santi, Valdicava, and Soldera.

Sangiovese is also used in “Super-Tuscan” blends alongside other international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. These styles originated from experimental winemakers wishing to produce wines that did not fall under local requirements, and have since risen to global prominence. The best of these pioneering estates include Ornellaia, Gaja, and Sassicaia, and are recognized today as some of Italy’s finest wine producers.