WTN: Fontodi Tasting

December 8, 2011 – Azienda Agricola Fontodi Tasting, Lower Falls Wine, Newton Lower Falls, MA
Thank to the staff of Lower Falls Wine, and Austin Slitt of Vinifera Imports, for hosting a great event.
One surprise was that I actually preferred the regular Fontodi Chianti Classico over their Vigna del Sorbo. Both vintages of the Vigna del Sorbo that I tried were very nice, but in this case, I came away more impressed by the freshness and elegance of the non-Riserva offering. The Vin Santo, which I had never seen before, was a treat.

2008 Chianti Classico DOCG
100% Sangiovese. Moderately full-bodied, fresh, elegant, lightly smoky/mineral, with cherry, berry, and floral notes. Excellent.

2008 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Vigna del Sorbo
90% Sangiovese/10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Full-bodied, riper, with some definite new oak; more structured, with good underlying acidity. Shows darker berry/cherry/red currant notes. Very good.

2008 Flaccianello della Pieve IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale
100% Sangiovese. Nose of cherries and spices. Full-bodied, more tannic, elegant, with good underlying acidity. Lightly oaky, floral/mineral, with cherry and mixed berry notes. Excellent.

1998 Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Vigna del Sorbo
90% Sangiovese/10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Nutty/stony nose. Full, ripe, smooth, round, with moderate acidity. Lightly toasty, with cherry, dark berry, and plum notes. Very good.

1999 Flaccianello della Pieve IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale
100% Sangiovese. Spicy/brick/mineral/red fruit nose. Full-bodied, moderately oaky, somewhat polished, with good underlying acidity. Toasty, with flavors of dark berries, black plums, cherries, and spices. Very good+, though my least favorite of the Flaccianellos here.

1995 Flaccianello della Pieve IGT Colli della Toscana Centrale
100% Sangiovese. Woodsy/smoky red fruit nose. Full-bodied, smooth, well balanded, with good underlying acidity. Tastes of cherries, red currants, mixed berries, baking spices, and minerals. Excellent.

1995 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Blend of Malvasia and Sangiovese. From 375 ml bottle. Somewhat oxidative, lightly to moderately viscous, focused, with good underlying acidity. Shows notes of cherries, caramel, roasted nuts, and raisins. Are the cherry notes from the Sangiovese, perhaps? I can’t recall ever having had a Vin Santo made with any red grapes. Excellent.

[David M. Bueker]

Now that's my kind of tasting!

I don't remember the last time I saw the Vigna del Sorbo around at retail. I miss that wine.

Thanks for the very helpful notes, Andrew.

I have some 1998 Fontodi CC in the cellar and I mostly read mediocre tasting notes on it. One of these days, I'll test it out for myself. But it sure sounds like I should have gone for the '98 Vigna del Sorbo instead!

-Michael