My tasting of the newly release Brunello/Rosso/Brunello riserva wines continue. Some misses, but several good ‘hits’, too. 2014 Il Paradiso (Manfredi) Brunello di MontalcinoSangiovese 9/26/2019 – Wonderful. I’m really in love with the sous bois/soil aromas in this vintage, as they lend even more character, and freshness. The entry is medium-bodied, elegant, and also substantive in…
Tag: #brunello
New releases: Brunello, Rosso, Riserva (pt.1)
Over time the wines of this region have really captured my attention, and my hear. Having had the benefit of tasting many producers back to the early 70s has taught me just how noble Sangiovese (Grosso, too) is. 2014 Caprili Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 9/24/2019 – Darker brick red color, clear throughout. Plenty of soil-driven character here,…
Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part III
Winegrowing at Uccelliera has been an experiment from its inception. I think it says a lot about the man, about his vision; he’s willing to admit, up front, he doesn’t have all the answers. He’s saying he’s after a deeper understanding of his land, that he’s not going to take what someone before him says…
Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part II
Agnes asks which wine I’d like to begin with. As I’m not in the habit of making such requests, I let her know any is just fine; I’m all too happy just to be here. Using the Coravin (it’s a slow-er season for visitors), she pours some of the 2014 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino. I spend…
Marching to his own drum – Az. Agr. Uccelliera, Part I
It’s fun (for me) to taste wines, for years, and trying to imagine what the person behind this thing that brings you so much joy is actually like. Are they like some of the wines that don’t show so well? Are they the same as the wines that blow your mind, and have you searching…
BENVENUTO BRUNELLO 2018, MONTALCINO CENTRO, PART III
Some more tasting notes from the event. Again, all can be found here, and again, in no particular order (i.e. I did not rank them). Many, many fine wines, only a couple of stinkers; stinkers with the proviso that someone, somewhere will like them, just not me. Tasting notes of newly released wines 17 February,…
BENVENUTO BRUNELLO 2018, MONTALCINO Centro, PART II
The first day of the event is reserved solely for journalists. The second day is open to journalist and trade persons. The last two days are open to the public and make tasting something of a challenge as the space becomes very small, very quickly. That said, I persevered, for you 😀 All of my…
Brilliant farming you can taste – 2006 Agostina Pieri Brunello di Montalcino
Reconciling a perceived preference with reality can be a humbling, powerfully educational experience. For instance, if someone were to ask me about my preferences for wine/winemaking, I’d include, among other things, the lack/restraint of oak usage in the cellar as an important factor. Or, if oak is used, I’d say I (generally speaking) prefer older…
Podere Salicutti – humility and genius
At this year’s VinItaly, I had a chance to spend some time with Francesco Leanza, after 20 minutes of talking about some his past vintages that I’ve enjoyed, I also had some time to taste his newly released wines. My experience with the Podere Salicutti wines prior to meeting him prepared me, if just a…
Mature beauty – 1997 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino
It’s been far, far too long since I’ve enjoyed a wine from La Rasina. That said, the bottle I enjoyed yesterday more than made up for a prolonged absence. Sangiovese, as you probably already know, can be many things; fresh and young, mature and graceful. And, to be clear, these are not things specific to…