Fontodi, Flaccianello della Pieve Vintage:1990 The supple but tautly muscular

The supple but tautly muscular medium weight plus flavors possess a suave mouth feel thanks to the abundant dry extract that both coats the palate and buffers the very firm tannic spine on the highly persistent and imposingly powerful finish

cool and unusually refined middle weight flavors deliver outstanding depth and length for the genre

The tannins are silky and polished throughout

succulent acidity and long length

its sophistication rippling with nuance rather than sheer vulgar power

Fontodi, Flaccianello della Pieve Vintage:1990 The supple but tautly muscularThe 2011 and 2012 vintages are close cousins, with the 2011 Flaccianello della Pieve appearing a bit softer and plumper around the midsection. This was a notoriously warm vintage that saw sugar and phenolic ripeness shoot up very quickly at the end of the growing season. Indeed, this wine produces a noticeable level of sweetness on the finish, all surrounded by jammy flavors of cherry confit and blackberry marmalade. My observation is that this 2011