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 2008 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. This is a sit-down pre-poured tasting and is limited to 15 tasters. The fee for this event is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Brunello DI Montalcino Tasting at Wine Watch
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
7:00 PM

Tasting Line-up:

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 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva
Price: $300.00

(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

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 Salvioni Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $125

(92 Points) One of the few great 1996 Brunellos I have tasted, Salvioni's opaque garnet-colored offering reveals a fabulous nose of cedar, soy, incense, black and red fruits, and minerals. The complex perfume is followed by a layered, nuanced, medium to full-bodied wine with outstanding ripeness, abundant glycerin, and superb extract as well as purity. This evolved, loaded 1996 Brunello can be drunk now and over the next 9-10 years. 

1997 Col D'Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $106.50

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 Pietranera Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $85.00

(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 licorice is powerful and sustained but smooth in texture and velvety on the finish as well. Drink: 2005-2016. Wine Advocate #158, Apr 2005

2001 Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino Castel Giacondo Riserva
Price: $126.00

(97 Points) Aromas of blackberry, licorice and tar. Full-bodied, with silky tannins, great mouthfeel and a caressing finish that's long and exciting. Builds and builds on the palate. Very close to the legendary 1997. Best after 2010. 2,200 cases made. –JS  Wine Spectator Issue: Apr 30, 2007

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

Porcini and herb papardelle pasta with reggiano parmesan

Sliced NY sirloin steak with Brunello natural Sauce and shoe string potatoes.

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

Brunello di Montalcino available at the Wine Watch:

We have an incredible collection of Brunello Di Montalcino in the store and although the 2008's are not here just yet, keep an eye out for our first offering that will go out along with our notice about our 2008 Brunello di Montalcino tasting which takes place on May 10th.

2004 Altesino Brunello Di Montalcino Montosoli
Price: $128.00    Your Price: $112.64
Quantity in Stock: 4

(95 Points) Shows meat and blackberry on the nose, with hints of rose perfume. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, rich and flavorful finish. Love the cocoa, berry and light vanilla bean aftertaste. This is always classic in an outstanding year. Best from 2010 through 2015. 1,500 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Wine Advocate # 183, Jun 2009

2006 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $60.00    Your Price: $52.80
Quantity in Stock: 4

(92 Points) Rich, with a glycerol feel to the texture, showing plum, cherry, tobacco and black tea notes, all backed by a solid structure. The acidity and tannins shore this up as the finish glides on. Best from 2013 through 2025. 1,000 cases made. –BS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2011

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

1997 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $108.00    Your Price: $95.04
Quantity in Stock: 12

2003 Canailicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino 375ml
Price: $36.75    Your Price: $32.34
Quantity in Stock: 23

Wine Watch Review:  An amazing array of roasted meat, fresh plowed earth coco and spice, black cherry and porcini mushroom. A good amount of ripe black cherry fruit on the tongue very balanced and fresh with an array of fresh earth minerality and dark coco to the finish. Finish 40+ EXCELLENT +

2004 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $80.00    Your Price: $70.40
Quantity in Stock: 9

(92 Points) Dried violets, berries and hints of vanilla follow through to a full body, with racy, silky tannins and a tanned leather, berry aftertaste. Chewy. Needs bottle age to mellow. Better than the 2001. Best after 2010. 2,800 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2009

2005 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $65.00    Your Price: $57.20
Quantity in Stock: 16

Fine herbs and exotic dried floral notes to the nose red berry fruit cherry and old leather notes. Smooth and round tannins on the tongue with a nice amount of earth and good freshness with dried floral and lunch meat notes on the finish. Finish 40+ Excellent

2007 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $73.25    Your Price: $64.46
Quantity in Stock: 5

2007 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino 375ml
Price: $38.50    Your Price: $33.88
Quantity in Stock: 10

2007 Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino MAGNUM
Price: $146.25    Your Price: $128.70
Quantity in Stock: 4

(93 points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a huge wine. Waves of dark red and black fruit saturate the palate in this generous, explosive Brunello. The firm yet well-integrated tannins are buried beneath a wall of fruit in this generous, flashy 2007. The 2007 spent 36 months in cask, all of which is handled beautifully. This is another terrific showing from Canalicchio di Sopra. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2006 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $68.75    Your Price: $60.50
Quantity in Stock: 29

Dried herbs and red berry fruit on the nose with notes of licorice spice. Notes of tar and black spices on the finish, a very classically fashioned brunello with layers of dried herbs and porcini notes. Most Excellent

2006 Canalicchio Di Sopra Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $135.00    Your Price: $118.80
Quantity in Stock: 4

2004 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cru Cerretalto
Price: $199.75    Sale Price: $175.75
Quantity in Stock: 14

(96 Points) The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is deep and powerful in its smoke, tar, spices, scorched earth and plums. The wine has shut down quite a bit since I last tasted it a few months ago, and the refined silky tannins that were present a while back have turned decidedly virile. Still, the wine’s pedigree is impossible to miss, and the only thing this needs is time, probably lots of it. Pretty scents of soy, smoke and incense inform the long, elegant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.

Proprietor Giacomo Neri makes some of the richest, most textured Brunellos readers will come across. The house style favors a lush expression of fruit with a softness that makes the wines very appealing upon release. In recent years the wines have become more elegant, with less of the excessive heaviness that characterized prior vintages. Based on what I tasted from barrel, future vintages hold quite a bit of promise as well. This year, readers – especially those on a budget (who isn’t on a budget these days?) should focus on the 2005 Brunello di Montalcino (sometimes also known as the ‘white label’), which is an overachiever because it includes fruit from the Cerretalto vineyard, the source of the estate’s top wine, which was not bottled in 2005. Wine Advocate # 188, Apr 2010

2007 Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $93.00    Sale Price: $79.00
Quantity in Stock: 17

(95 Points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova saturates the palate with masses of super-ripe dark fruit, tar, licorice and new leather. The Tenuta Nuova is an especially full-bodied, seamless Sangiovese deeply influenced by the Mediterranean climate of this warm site in the south of Montalcino. Layers of fruit build to an effortless, resonant finish laced with considerable aromatic nuance. This is another terrific showing from Giacomo Neri and his talented team. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2006 Casanova di Neri Cerretalto Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $245.00    Your Price: $215.60
Quantity in Stock: 2

2007 Castello Di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $73.25    Your Price: $64.46
Quantity in Stock: 4

This wine sees a bit of barrique and you notice a bit of that toasty oak nuance to the ripe cherry berry fruit on the nose with hints of black tar and licorice spice. Lots of ripe cherry and wild strawberry like fruit on the tongue with a host of tannin and exotic spices through the finish, has some toasty oak spice through the finish, but overall very nicely balanced and built for the long haul. Finish 50 Most Excellent

2006 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $64.00    Your Price: $56.32
Quantity in Stock: 19

Fresh wild strawberry like fruit on the nose with distinct Tuscan terroir and leather saddle nuance. Fresh red berry fruit on the tongue with firm tannins and a long finish. A very nice savory finish on this wine with a good amount of tannins with notes of graphite minerality and dark spices through the long finish. Finish 50 Most Excellent

2006 Castello Di Romitorio Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $157.50    Your Price: $138.60
Quantity in Stock: 10

2004 Castello Di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $69.75    Your Price: $61.38
Quantity in Stock: 14

(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

2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Magnum
Price: $280.00    Your Price: $246.40
Quantity in Stock: 4

2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $139.75    Your Price: $122.98
Quantity in Stock: 9

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 lot 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

2006 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso
Price: $67.00    Your Price: $58.96
Quantity in Stock: 7

(95 Points) Silky and elegant, offering cherry, raspberry, currant and violet aromas and flavors. Detailed and firmly structured, with refined tannins and a lingering aftertaste of red fruits. A Brunello of finesse and harmony. Best from 2012 through 2028. 2,900 cases made. –BS Wine Spectator Wine Issue: Aug 31, 2011

2007 Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $75.00    Your Price: $66.00
Quantity in Stock: 12

(94 points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d’Oro is big, rich and seamless. The wine had just been bottled the day of my visit, but it is very promising, even at this early stage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.

Paolo Bianchini’s 2007 Brunelli are quite a bit better than the 2006s. One of the recent evolutions at Ciacci has been Bianchini’s desire to make an entry-level Brunello that is more affordable than his wines have been in the past, hence a greater separation in terms of quality and price between the straight Brunello and the Pianrosso. The Brunelli undergo alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in steel, and are aged in cask. Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2006 Col D'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $62.00    Your Price: $54.56
Quantity in Stock: 4

(93 points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino emerges from the glass with a finely knit bouquet of tobacco, sweet herbs, licorice, leather and red cherries. The wine shows lovely depth, richness and polish in its engaging personality. The warm radiance of the fruit flows through effortlessly to the long, creamy finish. This is a terrific effort from Col d’Orcia. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Wine Advocate #194, May 2011

2004 Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $75.00    Your Price: $66.00
Quantity in Stock: 6

Wow a very complex bouquet of exotic truffle and underbrush, fine herbs and red cherry and wild strawberry like fruit very complex. Big and chewy on the tongue with layers of earth and spice on the finish a very savory finish this wine still quite tannic, it needs time but has all the right stuff. Finish 50 Most Excellent

2005 Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $45.00    Your Price: $39.60
Quantity in Stock: 3

A very rustically fashioned nose with lots of fresh p[lowed earth dried porcini mushroom and barnyard like aromas on the nose dark plum and cherry fruit. Lovely concentration and depth of fruit on the palate with lots of black spice tar and new leather black truffle, a big and tannic wine this wine that needs some time but has all the right stuff. Finish 45 Excellent

2006 Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $60.00    Your Price: $52.80
Quantity in Stock: 10

A bit more well endowed on the nose very dense and rich with lots of ripe black cherry and wild strawberry jam like fruit black truffle and more…Big and chewy on the tongue with a full array of black truffle tar and earthy nuance to the ripe fruit firm tannins and a good amount of acidity holding things together nicely. Finish 50 Most Excellent

2007 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $75.00    Your Price: $66.00
Quantity in Stock: 8

(95 Points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a model of grace and elegance. This isn’t a huge, powerful wine like the 2006, but rather a Brunello that impresses for its total finesse. Sweet floral notes lead to hints of tobacco, wild herbs and spices on the refined finish. Layers of fruit flesh out beautifully in a radiant, expressive wine that captures the essence of the vintage. Costanti gave the 2007 Brunello 36 months in oak, 18 months in medium-sized barrels followed by 18 months in cask. This is a fabulous showing from Andrea Costanti. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.
These are two beautiful Brunelli from Andrea Costanti, one of the few producers who has had the skill to give his wines a little extra polish without abandoning what is essentially a traditional style. (If you are from Rome you would not use the term Brunelli, the plural in Roman dialect is just Brunello) Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2003 Donna Olga Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $73.25    Your Price: $64.46
Quantity in Stock: 23

Wine watch Review: Black cherry and exotic spices very complex and nuanced aromas fresh black truffle tar and a potpouree of floral notes. Excellent concentration and depth of flavor on the tongue with nice freshness and notes of tar and dried flowers on the finish. Finish 40 Excellent

2006 Donna Olga Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $55.00    Sale Price: $45.00
Quantity in Stock: 16

(92 points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty, flashy Brunello. In this vintage I find more elegance, freshness and balance than has often been the case. Freshly cut flowers, smoke, menthol, cherries, plums, underbrush and tobacco are some of the notes that come to life on the vivid, textured finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.  Wine Advocate #194, May 2011

2007 Fanti Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $58.50    Your Price: $51.48
Quantity in Stock: 12

(91 Points) A big, rich style, boasting plum, soy and tobacco aromas and flavors. Features good acidity and firm tannins that bode well for development, with just a touch of heat on the finish. Best from 2014 through 2028. 400 cases imported. –BS Wine Spectator Issue: Jul 31, 2012

1997 Friggiali Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $120.00    Your Price: $105.60
Quantity in Stock: 10

2004 Friggiali Brunello di Montalcino (Magnum)
Price: $147.00    Sale Price: $124.95 (SPECIAL PRICE$95)
Quantity in Stock: 33

2004 Friggiali Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany
Price: $73.50    Your Price: $64.68
Quantity in Stock: 11

Fresh plowed earth anise spice and porcini mushroom notes to the wild strawberry and cherry berry fruit. Concentrated and rich on the tongue with layers of red berry fruit exotic spices and dusty earth notes on the finish. Finish 45 Most Excellent

2004 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $136.50    Your Price: $120.12
Quantity in Stock: 2

(96 points) Aromas of blueberry and blackberry, with hints of lilac. Full and velvety, with powerful chewy tannins, but so well-defined and polished. Very long and intense, with bright acidity. Needs time to come together. Best after 2012. 1,085 cases made. –JS Issue: Jun 15, 2010

2006 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $54.00    Your Price: $47.52
Quantity in Stock: 6

They own about 9 hectares in Montalcino located in San Angelo in Colle region of Montalcino near Pieve di Santa Restituta. A very nuanced spice and a slight roasted character to the red cherry fruit very elegant and subtle but has lots of hints of black tar and truffle like nuance. A smooth and silky approach to the palate like silk on the tongue with some dry tannins showing on the finish and that rustic earthy character to Montalicino along with excellent freshness and a tangy note to the finish. Finish 45+ Excellent +

2004 Lisini Brunello Di Montalcino Ugolaia Riserva
Price: $142.50    Your Price: $125.40
Quantity in Stock: 2

(94 Points) The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolaia, from a small old-vine parcel on the estate, floats onto the palate with endless layers of perfumed fruit. Deceptively medium in body, the Ugolaia possesses remarkable depth. Sweet pine, menthol, red cherries and spices meld together seamlessly on the long finish. With time in the glass, the wine gains more volume as the fruit emerges and the bouquet becomes even more expansive. This is a gorgeous Brunello from Lisini. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.

Lisini is one of the historic properties in Montalcino. Family matriarch Elina Lisini served as President of the producers’ Consorzio in its early days back in the 1960s and remained a fixture of Montalcino until her passing last year. Wine Advocate # 188, Apr 2010

2007 Mocali Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $45.00    Your Price: $39.60
Quantity in Stock: 12

(90 Points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino shows lovely richness and depth in its sweet red cherries, licorice, new leather, spices and tobacco. Here, too, the oak comes across as dominant given the wine’s medium-bodied structure. The 2007 is nevertheless an appealing wine, but it is best enjoyed over the near and mid-term. A soft, caressing finish rounds things out nicely. The 2007 spent 36 months in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Wine Advocate #200 Apr 2012 Antonio Galloni

1997 Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Price: $175.00    Your Price: $154.00
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

2003 Pinino Brunello Di Montaclino
Price: $66.00    Your Price: $58.08
Quantity in Stock: 4

(90 Points) Nicely balanced for the vintage, with aromas and flavors of plum, berry and nutty oak. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and lots of vanilla coming through on the finish. Best after 2009. 2,540 cases made Wine Spectator May 15, 2008

2006 Poggio Antico Brunello Altero DOC
Price: $94.00    Your Price: $82.72
Quantity in Stock: 12

(94 Points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Altero is aged for two years in 500-liter French oak barrels and another two years in bottle. Here the oak gives the wine much of its volume and shape without coming across as over bearing. Dark wild cherries, new leather, spices, minerals and menthol flow effortlessly from this seamless, beautifully ripe Brunello. The intensity of the fruit carries through nicely on the long, polished finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026.  Wine Advocate #194 May 2011 Antonio Galloni

2006 Poggio Antico Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG
Price: $86.50    Your Price: $76.12
Quantity in Stock: 12

(93 Points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty, elegant wine. Fine, silky tannins frame a core of crushed berries, flowers, licorice and new leather in this mid-weight, gracious Brunello. The wine’s inner sweetness emerges over time, adding harmony and class. This is a super-elegant, refined Brunello from Poggio Antico. The estate gave the Brunello three years in Slavonian oak, yet the wine remains fresh and vibrant. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026. Wine Advocate #194 May 2011 Reviewer: Antonio Galloni

2001 San Filippo Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Le Coste Magnum
Price: $195.00    Sale Price: $140.00
Quantity in Stock: 3

2001 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Coste Riserva
Price: $85.00    Sale Price: $70.00
Quantity in Stock: 4

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

2004 San Filippo Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $57.00    Your Price: $50.16
Quantity in Stock: 7

(91 Points) Plum, cedar and cigar character on the nose follow through to a medium body, with soft tannins and a toffee, berry and vanilla bean aftertaste. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. –JS  Wine Spectator Issue: Web Only - 2009

1996 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva
Price: $180.00    Your Price: $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

1999 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Magnum
Price: $525.00    Your Price: $462.00
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

2000 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany 375ml
Price: $55.00    Your Price: $48.40
Quantity in Stock: 7

2003 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano Riserva
Price: $162.00    Your Price: $142.56
Quantity in Stock: 2

(93 Points) The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is a super-ripe, opulent wine that resembles the 1997 in its generous, full-bodied personality. The tannins are surprisingly well-balanced within the context of this challenging vintage. The 2003 should drink well relatively early for this Riserva. All things considered, this is a superb effort. Production was down sharply in 2003. The estate bottled just 13,000 bottles of this wine compared to the typical production of 23,000 bottles. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. Italy Report # 0109, Jan 2009

2004 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino (375ml)
Price: $90.00    Your Price: $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 21

2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Magnum
Price: $275.00    Your Price: $242.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(95 Points) Displays complex aromas of blackberry and cherry, with a hint of licorice. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a delicious finish of wonderful yet subtle fruit. Well-integrated and beautiful. Everything is in the right place. Best after 2011. 5,000 cases made. -JS Wine Spectator Web Only - 2009

2004 Valdicava Madonna Del Piano Brunello Di Montalcino Magnum
Price: $385.00    Your Price: $338.80
Quantity in Stock: 4

Wow an incredible bouquet of black almost sundried fruit black cherry blackberry fruit with espresso dark chocolate and fresh floral notes very complex. Still a baby but lots of potential here a bit closed at the moment but has big tannins and some nice spice on the finish showing more mineral and earth that fruit right now, but needs time.  Finish 50+ Most Excellent +

2006 Valdicava Madonna Del Piano Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino MAGNUM
Price: $600.00    Your Price: $528.00
Quantity in Stock: 6

(96 points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is a huge, towering wine. Waves of vibrant, intensely perfumed fruit hit the palate, backed up by the firm, broad tannins of the vintage. Violets, spices, new leather and licorice develop in the glass, yet the 2006 remains painfully young and stubborn. Clean mineral notes frame a blast of dark cherries, plums and camphor on the palate-staining finish. Readers will need to be especially patient, but the 2006 Madonna del Piano is stacking up to be one of the all-time greats from proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese. I followed the wine over the course of two days, during which it continued to improve while seeming to gain freshness and structure. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2006 Uccelliera Riserva Brunello di Montalcino
Price: $126.00    Your Price: $110.88
Quantity in Stock: 11

(95 points) The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva flows with the essence of dark cherries, blackberries, flowers, violets, licorice and spices, all supported by firm, structured tannins. The 2006 boasts striking inner perfume, big fruit and a huge, explosive finish. The 2006 Riserva is surprisingly vibrant, focused and balanced for such a big wine. The Riserva was made from the estate’s highest altitude vineyards and aged one year in barrique and a second year in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Wine Advocate #200 Apr 2012

2007 Uccelliera Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $69.50    Your Price: $61.16
Quantity in Stock: 12

(94 Points) The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is lush, sweet and inviting. Today the 2007 doesn’t quite have the sheer visceral thrill and excitement of the 2006, but it more than makes up for that with its early approachability. Dark red berries, spices and crushed flowers are layered into the finish. There is plenty of volume but not a lot of structure. The 2007 Brunello was made from three separate parcels with different altitudes and exposures. Malolactic fermentation was done in steel and the wine was aged in a combination of casks and neutral small French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Andrea Cortonesi’s biggest competition these days is oddly enough from himself! The Uccelliera wines are as good as they’ve ever been, but it is impossible not to compare them with the wines Cortonesi makes under the Voliero label. Uccelliera is located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the southern part of Montalcino, where the terroirs yield big, dramatic Rossi and Brunelli. Cortonesi describes 2007 as an overall warmer year than 2006.  Wine Advocate #200 Apr 2012 reviewer: Antonio Galloni

2006 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino
Price: $124.00    Your Price: $109.12
Quantity in Stock: 12

Intense nose of crushed raspberry and wild strawberry jam like fruit with notes of raw meat and fine herbs. Big and chewy on the tongue with chalky dry tannins showing on the finish, this wine needs time. Big and chewy with layers of nuance on the finish, keep it open for at least 1 day before serving. Finish 50 Most Excellent