Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch

"A man will be eloquent if you give him good wine." --- Ralph Waldo Emerson

We still have some room for the Madeira event on Friday and we are adding some Champagne to the line-up, maybe Krug or Perrier Jouet Belle Epoch 1999, you never know what extra goodies we will open on a night like this where we are pouring "once in a lifetime" wines like this 1789 Vintage Cama de Lobos Sercial Verdelho- which is worth the price of admission alone!

We also have a little room left for the Champagne Tasting this Saturday but you may want to call soon if you want to attend this one as it is filling up quickly.

Next week we have good friend Filippo Chia in town for a comprehensive tasting of wines from his family's Montalcino property where they are making some of the best wine coming from this area today.  Their 2004 Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino just placed #1 at the 2010 London International Wine Fair with over 1200 entries.  I told Filippo when he was in earlier in the year that it was the best Brunello that I had tasted from this outstanding vintage- I don’t know why he had to go and enter it into this fair now everyone will want this wine!  Hey- we have it available in 3 sizes!

Castello Romitorio - The Next Generation of Brunello Producers

Castello Romitorio is located on a hilltop overlooking the Val d'Orcia and facing the township of Monalcino, in the province of Siena.  The castle, surrounded on three sides by thick oak forests, rests in the northwestern quadrant of Montalcino, at an altitude of 450 meters.  On a clear evening, one can see the city of Siena over forty kilometers in the distance. 

Castello Romitorio, a massive twelfth-century hilltop fortress in Montalcino, since 1986 has produced exquisite Tuscan wines, grappa and olive oil in the best traditions of the region.  After acquiring the estate in 1984, artist Sandro Chia spent the next several years restoring Castello Romitorio and transforming its lands into vineyards.  He promptly constructed a cellar on the castle's ground floor with the most advanced equipment on the market, with a keen respect for ancient techniques.  To ensure the highest quality possible Sandro has recently enlisted the expertise of one of Italy's leading enologists, Carlo Ferrini.

Since Sandro Chia bottled his first "Romito del Romitorio" in 1984, he has made clear that his pursuit of artistic perfection displays itself not only on the painted canvas but also in the glass.  Over twenty years of success in art and winemaking has given Castello Romitorio the opportunity to refine their methods even further.

This is a sit down tasting and is limited to 16 tasters, Wine Watch Catering will be preparing a three course meal to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Castello Romitorio Dinner at Wine Watch
With Special Guest Filippo Chia
Tuesday November 23rd
7pm

Tasting Line-up:

Flight One:

1) Castello Romitorio Rosso di Montalcino 2006
Price: $25.50    Sale $22.44      Case $260

Notes of raw meat and fresh flowers on the nose accompanying the red cherry berry fruit. Fresh and bright red berry fruit on the tongue with excellent concentration and depth of flavors excellent freshness through the finish. Finish 35+ Excellent

2) Castello Romitorio Rosso di Montalcino 2007
Price: $25.50    Sale $22.44      Case $260

This is another outstanding vintage from Tuscany as we have seen quite a few Rossos from 2007 new and if these are any indication of the quality of 2007- Keep an eye out for the top wines from this Most Excellent vintage from Tuscany, like the Castello Romitorio Risevra Brunello di Montalcino. 

3) Castello Romitorio Morellino di Scansano 2007
Price: $19.75    Sale $17.38      Case $201

This is the newest DOCG in Tuscany and there are a lot of great new wines emerging from this newly elevated DOCG like this one from Castello Romitorio.

4) Castello Romitorio Romito Di Romitorio 2006
Price: $45.00    Sale $39.60      Case $459

(89+ Points) The 2006 Romito is 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Canaiolo that was aged in French oak barrels. In keeping with the style of the vintage, this is a big, dramatic wine loaded with perfumed dark fruit. The aromatics are beautiful, the fruit is ripe and the structural components are deftly balanced. Today the wine remains extremely closed, so it will be interesting to see what develops. The prospects seem quite promising. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. Wine Advocate # 188, Apr 2010

Flight Two:

5) Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2003
Price: $55.75    Sale $49.06      Case $569

(88 Points) Displays raspberry aromas, with hints of strawberry and flowers. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a crisp finish. Fresh and fruity. Best after 2009. Wine Spectator May 31, 2008

6) Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2004
Price: $69.75    Sale $61.38      Case $711

(93 Points) Blackberry and dried flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with soft and silky tannins and a long finish. Very approachable now, with bright fruit and fresh acidity. Long and beautiful. Drink now through 2015. 2,500 cases made. -JS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2009

7) Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2005
Price: $60         Sale $52.80      Case $612

A nice amount of earth on the nose here porcini mushroom light red berry fruit sour cherry and wild strawberry. Big and chewy but still rounded at the edges bright acidity a very well balanced and elegant wine with the nuance in the nose echoing through the finish, notes of dried herbs. Finish 45+ Excellent +

8) Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004
Price: $139.75  Sale $122.98    Case $1425

Wow incredible bouquet with lots of exotic spices pretty floral notes on the nose with lots of ripe seductive black cherry and wild strawberry like fruit. Very polished and even though big in size has elegance and finesse with a lo9t of spice and floral notes showing through the finish, WOW this wine needs a bit of time but has all the right stuff. Finish 50+ KILLER

** This wine also available in Magnum and 3 Liter format!!

2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Magnum

Price: $280       Sale $246.40

2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 3 Liter

Price: $560       Sale $492.80

Menu

Selection of Cheese:

Porcini scented Pappardelle pasta with fresh shaved parmesan

Burrata over sauteed escarole a tomato rubbed Ciabatta crostini

Steak Florentine sliced with twice baked potatoes and clove scented caramelized carrots