Vintage Brunello di Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch

Whenever a man is tired, wine is a great restorer of strength. (The Iliad)

Homer

Brunello di Montalcino could be called the greatest red wine of Italy. It was the first wine region to gain international recognition as the Biondi Santi family developed a cult following for its wines over 100 years ago, although it is not until the last 30 years that most of the great producers have emerged following Biondi Santi’s lead a long time after he made this area famous.

Today, Montalcino is one of the most exciting wine regions of Italy as there are literally dozens of great wines being produced here, many of which can still be purchased for $50 or less. Every year we do a tasting to showcase the newly released wines from this world famous wine region located in Tuscany. Montalcino is a relatively small region covering 3000 acres, there just over 200 producers hailing from this region today.  Although this wine is held back for 5 years before release I always say that it needs another 7-10 years in your cellar before it is ready to drink. 

We also do an annual tasting where we showcase wines from Montalcino that are 10+ years old.  This is valuable scientific research that we are doing here at the Wine Watch.  Is that 1975 Brunello finally mature?  We will find out  on July 13th if it was a wise decision to cellar these gems. 

Tonight, we have a selection of Montalcino’s top producers going back to the 1975 vintage!   Wine Watch Catering’s Toni Lampasone will serve a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. This is a sit down tasting and is limited to 15 tasters, the fee for this tasting is $95 per person all-inclusive for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Brunello di Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, July 13th
7pm

1975 La Chiesa di Restituta Brunello di Montalcino

This was an exceptional vintage but this is before many of the advances in vituiculture and winemaking so it will be interesting to see how this wine is showing. This vineyard is owned by Angelo Gaja today and is the next door neighbor to gianfranco Soldera.

1982 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino

Another legendary vintage for Montaclino and the Costantis are an old Sienese family dating back to the fifteenth century. This is a vintage that is considered to be classic with some holding 1985 in higer regard but the old school would consider 1982 just as good if not better because it has more aging potential- you be the judge tonight!

1985 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino

This is another great vintage for Montalcino but more in a modern style, these wines were very drinkable upon release. The “Caparzo” name seems to originate from Ca' Pazzo, as seen in several ancient maps. The vineyards, cellars and all wine-making equipment were developed towards the end of the 1960s, with progressive adaptation and constant up-dating of both the land and the cellars.

1988 Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino

(95 Points) The awesome and inspirational 1988 Brunello di Montalcino is super-extracted, with an opaque, deep ruby/purple color, a highly promising nose of roasted nuts, black fruits, herbs, and Asian spices. The wine is massively rich, yet impeccably well-balanced, with fabulous purity, and a multidimensional feel to it. If you can find any, it is a must purchase. Anticipated maturity: 1996-2010.

This tiny estate, which has been making spectacular wines since 1982, makes some of the finest red wines in Tuscany. I am beginning to think that if I had only one Brunello di Montalcino to drink it would have to be Pertimali. Unfortunately, quantities are microscopic, making availability a major headache. Wine Advocate #86, Apr 1993

1990 Talenti Riserva Brunello di Montalcino

(88 Points) A nicely maturing, ripe and sweet-tasting Brunello, showing very rich, plummy character and almost Port-like texture. Somewhat rustic and tannic, so try in 1998. – Wine Spectator Issue: Oct 31, 1995

1993 Pieve di Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino
Sugarille
List $168 Sale $147.84 Case $1714

We showed this wine at our recent 1997 Tuscan tasting and it showed like a mature Brunello drinking at or near its peak right now and stood up to the superior 1997 vintage wines with an array of dark spices, black truffle and a sweet cherry liqueur fruit almost on the nose hints of smoke and licorice spice lovely complexity on the nose opening up quickly. Smooth and silky on the tongue with nice freshness and still a good amount of fruit here, this wine could last another decade or more if you like older wines. If you prefer younger wines check out this 2006, it is a little monster. This vineyard has continued to gain praise since Angelo Gaja Bought it and today the current release of this wine sells for almost 20% more than this mature 1993 vintage!!! Finish 45 Most Excellent

1995 Canalicchio Di Sopra Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino
Price $134.50 Sale $118.36

The Reserva Brunello is released one year after the regular Brunello and for Canalicchio this is a selection of the best wine from the vintage.  Usually there are only a few hundred cases of this wine produced.

1997 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino

(92 Points) The 1997 Brunello di Montalcino (1,200 cases) is a dense, structured, full-bodied, intense effort revealing notes of licorice, smoke, leather, spice, and earth. With plenty of ripeness, fruit, glycerin, and concentration as well as high tannin, it will be at its finest between 2007-2017. Wine Advocate #144, Dec 2002

Menu

Selection of Cheese: Hard Cheddar, Parmesan Reggiano and

Chicken Breaded and Fried with panko served over marinara garnished with fresh shaved parmesan reggiano cheese

Sliced Bistecca Fiorentina with shoestring fries and Brunello Natural sauce

Older Vintage Brunello Di Montalcino Available in the store:

We have a great collection of vintage Brunello di Montalcino here in the store, here is a selection of what we have in the store that is over 10 years old.

2001 Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $90.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 32

(93 points) Poggio di Sotto’s medium-red 2001 Brunello di Montalcino presents an intensely expressive nose of smoke and scorched earth along with layers of sweet dark red fruit that unfold onto the palate with outstanding length, complexity and polish on the finish. It is a deceptively medium-bodied, yet structured Brunello made in a somewhat quirky style. Some readers might find the relatively high levels of volatile acidity off-putting, but I found this wine’s overall balance to be outstanding. Revisited often during the course of several days, it proved to be a very satisfying glass of Brunello. It will require a few years of cellaring and should drink splendidly until at least age 20. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2021. Wine Advocate # 168, Dec 2006

2001 Donna Olga Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $89.00 Sale $78.32
Quantity in Stock: 2

(88 Points) Jammy and slightly stemmy. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a jammy finish. Best after 2009. 600 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Apr 30, 2006

2001 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Coste Riserva
Price: $79.50 Sale $69.96
Quantity in Stock: 7

Classic Brunello nose with dried porcini mushroom, black spices and saddle leather notes to the black cherry, wild strawberry like fruit. Smooth, fine tannins on the tongue with cherry, strawberry fruit, tobacco spice and porcini notes through the finish, a big and elegant wine with a long complex finish that lasts for almost a minute, notes of tar and dried flowers on the finish. This would be singing with a nice NY Sirloin and some sautéed mushrooms. Finish 50+ MOST EXCELLENT

2001 Uccelliera Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Tuscany
Price: $91.50 Sale $80.52
Quantity in Stock: 3

2001 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $175.00 Sale $154
Quantity in Stock: 2

(92 points) The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino was one of the most talked about wines of Montalcino when it was first released a few years ago. The black color the wine had in its youth has begun to recede, yet this remains a rich, almost Amarone-like expression of Sangiovese that achieves an incredible level of density and sheer concentration. According to Abbruzzese the early spring hail reduced yields dramatically, which accounts for the wine’s super-ripe style. I am not sure if yields alone can produce a wine that is this extreme, my guess is that decisions taken in the cellar had an influence as well. Nevertheless, the simple fact remains that this wine is a freak. There is no other wine in the estate’s history – before or after - that even remotely resembles the style of the 2001. This is an outstanding wine, but one that needs to be considered on its own terms. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021 In the Cellar # 0109 Jan 2009

2000 Fattoria Poggio di Sotto Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $80.00 Sale $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 10

Wild strawberry fruit very forward and seductive red rose petal nuance very pretty bouquet. Smooth and silky on the palate drinking at or near its peak right now very soft and seductive notes of exotic spice on the finish. Finish 40 very exotic spice. Excellent

1999 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Magnum
Price: $525.00 Sale $462
Quantity in Stock: 4

(96 Points) “Fantastic aromas of ripe fruit and coffee, with hints of plum and cedar. Full-bodied, with lovely, velvety tannins and a long, juicy finish. Big and glorious. The greatest wine ever from here. Best after 2006. 1,500 cases made. (JS)” Wine Spectator Buying Guide 5/15/05

1999 Pietranera Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $85.00 Sale $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 12

(91 points) The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino Pietranera is from a part of the appellation near Castelnuovo dell’Abate. Dark in color, spicy, and expansive on the nose, its palate of wild cherries, tar, and liquorice is powerful and sustained but smooth in texture and velvety on the finish as well. Drink: 2005-2016. Wine Advocate #158
Apr 2005

1998 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $80.00 Sale $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 3

(90 Points) Very fresh and fruity with refined tannins and a long finish. Medium- to full-bodied, silky texture. Another year of bottle age would bring it together. Best after 2004. 200 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2004

1997 Col D'Orca Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $101.50 Sale $89.32
Quantity in Stock: 3

1997 Frescobaldi Brunello Di Montalcino Castel Giacondo Tuscany
Price: $149.00 Sale 131.12
Quantity in Stock: 2

1997 Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $175.00 Sale $154
Quantity in Stock: 3

(92 points) The 1997 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva boasts an opaque ruby/purple color in addition to deep, full-bodied flavors, and more tannin as well as a more angular finish than the regular cuvee. Hence the lower rating. Although it does not possess the exuberance, fruit intensity, staggering aromatic fireworks and concentration of the regular bottling, it is still a great meaty, leathery Brunello that should age well for 12-15+ years. I'd be happy to drink it on any occasion.  Wine Advocate # 144 Dec 2002

1996 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva
Price: $180.00 Sale $158.40
Quantity in Stock: 10

(90 Points) The 1996 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano reveals advanced aromas and flavors, with suggestions of spices, tobacco and game. 1996 was a challenging vintage. The vineyard was harvested on October12, after extensive rains in September. Pagli describes 1996 as one of the worst vintages he has seen at Valdicava. All things considered, the fruit has retained good freshness. Although this is a decidedly smaller-scaled Madonna del Piano, it is still capable of providing enjoyable drinking over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012. In the Cellar # 0109, Jan 2009

1995 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $99.00 Sale $87.42
Quantity in Stock: 2

Wine Watch Review:
Dried meats and dusty earth notes on the nose to compliment the matured plum and sun dried cherry fruit, leather saddle very complex bouquet of aromas. Lovely spiced cherry fruit on the tongue with fine smooth tannins, complex and layered finish with notes of leather, dried meats spice box. Classic Brunello from a classic vintage, this wine is drinking at its peak right now. Finish 50+ MOST EXCELLENT

1995 Canalicchio Di Sopra Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $134.50 Sale $118.36
Quantity in Stock: 11

1995 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva
Price: $300.00 Sale $264
Quantity in Stock: 2

(93 Points) “Valdicava's single vineyard Madonna del Piano may be the finest 1995 Brunello di Montalcino I have tasted. There are 550 cases of this gem, which is nearly equal in quality to the prodigious Soldera 1995 Brunello. It boasts a dark garnet color as well as an explosive bouquet of black fruits, minerals, Chinese black tea, herbs, and spice. Super-rich as well as extraordinarily well-balanced, it possesses layers of flavor, sweet tannin, and a finish that lasts for nearly 45 seconds. This is a remarkable achievement for the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.”
Robert Parker Jr. – The Wine Advocate

1994 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $99.00 Sale $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 6

1990 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $625.00 Sale $550
Quantity in Stock: 1