Vintage Brunello Di Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch

“One should always be drunk. That's all that matters...But with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you chose. But get drunk.” ? Charles Baudelaire

I only get drunk on wines starting with "B"; Barolo, Burgundy, Barbaresco, Bordeaux and of course Brunello di Montalcino

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.

Every year around this time I start to think about Brunello di Montalcino as the new vintage is released the second week in February from the wineries cellars.  By law Brunello di Montalcino has to be kept for 5 years before it is released to the wine drinking people, so this year we will see the 2010 vintage reach our shelves.  This makes Brunello di Montalcino one of the latest wine to be released from anywhere in the world but in great vintages Brunello still needs an additional 10+ years in the cellar.

This is valuable scientific research that we are doing here at the Wine Watch.  Our Vintage Brunello tasting shows you why you need to keep Brunello for additional time in the cellar as every wine on the table this evening is at least 10 years old. Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines. The fee for this event is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Brunello DI Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch Friday, February 27, 2015 7:00 PM

Tasting Line-up:

1993 Pieve Di Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino Rennina

1993 Pieve di Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille Price: $168.00

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 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva

Price: $134.50

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

1996 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva

(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

1997 Col D'Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino Price: $109.75

A very classic nose with dried meats, black tar and fine herbs with some sundried cherry like fruit nice complexity on the nose fresh earth. A fairly rustic wine on the palate, still with some firm tannins here this wine still has time that dried meat notes on the finish. Finish 50 Most Excellent

1999 Friggiali Brunello Di Montalcino

(89 Points) Attractive berry and cinnamon character in this medium-bodied red. Silky tannins, with a lovely texture and a medium finish. Drink now through 2010. 6,665 cases made. –JS  Wine Spectator Issue: May 15, 2004

2001 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Price: $159.00

2003 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Price: $113.25

Wine Watch Review:  Thick black cherry wild strawberry fruit very ripe and seductive aromas flowers and porcini and fresh earth. Very fresh and bright red berry fruit on the tongue with layers of spice minerals and coco spice. Very forward and drinkable but also has the stuffing to be cellared for a decade. Finish 45 Most Excellent

Menu

Selection of cheese: Reggiano Parmesan and Beemster Gouda

Risotto Cakes with Anchovy and sangiovese soaked sundried tomato and black and green olive tapenade

Bistecca all Fiorentina open face Burger with fontina and sage fondue

The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, we have only 12 seats available for this tasting event.