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Tenuta Fontodi

Tenuta FontodiTenuta Fontodi is Chianti's class act: Her renowned crus are the Super Tuscan Flaccianello and the Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon favorite Vigna del Sorbo, while her Chianti Classico is unflinchingly reliable. Winemaking in the timeless land of Chianti Classico dates back to the 8th century, and the term “Chianti” was applied to wine as far back as 1398: Tenuta Fontodi is one of many existing estates that can trace their lineage back to these historic times. Fontodi is an all-time favorite of IWM and any Tuscan wine enthusiast.

In the 17 published editions of Gambero Rosso, Italy’s acclaimed wine rating guide, this Tuscan estate has won the coveted Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) award 13 times. And like the other greats of Chianti Classico (Felsina, Querciabella, Castell'in Villa...), they did it by revealing the true essence of the Sangiovese grape and the local terroir. They maintain tradition even when updating equipment; in fact, the new cantina works entirely on the gravity principle (no pumps) though it is fitted with the latest vinification technology.

Resting near Panzano in the epicenter of Toscana's viticulture, Fontodi's vines enjoy a southern aspect, a position in a natural amphitheatre, and marl soil. These optimum conditions allow the grapes to ripen perfectly, therefore creating wines of great character and structure. The natural potential of the grapes combined with the leadership of Marco and Giovanni Manetti (cousins who are sons of the 1968 visionaries) makes for perfection in winemaking. The estate dates back to the 16th century, but her modern era started in 1968 when the Manettis, a Florentine family famous for more than three centuries for their terracotta production, purchased the estate.

One of the first 100% Sangiovese Super Tuscans, Fontodi's Flaccianello is a cru of grapes from the vineyard of the same name, the "Flaccianello della Pieve." This big red wine, which was born in 1981, combines all the old-world characteristics of Sangiovese with modern vinification techniques. While the Flaccianello went on to achieve her "super" status, the cru Vigna del Sorbo became one of the first Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon blends: the latter is actually classified as a DOCG wine, though, and the former an IGT. The grapes are primarily Sangiovese (with a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon) and come from the Vigna del Sorbo vineyard. In the nineties, driven to improve quality even further, Manetti phased out his Chianti Classico Riserva label to focus on his Chianti Classico, a wine aged in botti (large barrels) that serves as a fine benchmark for a traditional wine.
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Fontodi Chianti Classico 2006, 750ml Fontodi Flaccianello 2006, 750ml
Our Price: $36.84
Our Price: $160.00
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2006 Fontodi Flaccianello 2006
Resting near Panzano in the epicenter of Toscana's viticulture, Fontodi's vines enjoy a southern aspect, a position in a natural amphitheatre, and marl soil. These optimum conditions allow the grapes to ripen perfectly, therefore creating wines of great character and structure. The natural potential of the grapes combined with the leadership of Marco and Giovanni Manetti (cousins who are sons of the 1968 visionaries) makes for perfection in winemaking. The estate dates back to the 16th century, but her modern era started in 1968 when the Manettis, a Florentine family famous for more than three centuries for their terracotta production, purchased the estate. This represents the debut offering of the 2006 Flaccianello from IWM and one of the first in the country. It is difficult to imagine this wine surpassing the performance from the 2004 and 2005 vintage. The two vintages remain among the fastest selling wines at IWM to date. But Fontodi, and the estate's proprietor Giovanni Manetti, have done it again. And like the 2004, the recent release is unquestionably a wine of longevity—the thick layers of rich black and red fruit make this wine deceivingly approachable, but it is just a tease of what is to come. Drink 2012-2025.
   
 
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