Showing posts with label Brunello di Montalcino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brunello di Montalcino. Show all posts
2001 Castello di Camigliano Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
2001 Fanti (Tenuta San Filippo) Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
2000 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
1999 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
1999 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
Served with Fettuccine Alfredo and what a fantastic pairing. The wine's fruit, freshness, structure and spice really complemented the Fettuccine Alfredo. Lovely wine which shows a significant amount of earth and spice. The fine acidity helps cut through the butter and cream of the noodle dish. With this food pairing, the fruit does not get emphasized as the other parts of the wine, but there's still plenty of lovely fruit in it. Should be able to hold a while longer.
2000 La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
Another day, another Brunello. And this one was very good, as well. Although it doesn't measure up to the Pertimali of a few nights before, it is still a very good wine. With 10 years of age on it, it shows nicely balanced, round, supple and soft, and it has a very attractive character of plum, cherry, dried herbs, earth, and barnyard. A touch of brett adds a little extra complexity to this wine. I purchased this at auction for about $29, which is a great deal for this wine.
2004 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
We had this at dinner at a local Italian restaurant favorite. And this wine didn't disappoint. It's hard to describe how this wine manages to deliver perfectly ripened fruit while at the same time delivering incredible finesse, elegance, and freshness. Apart from the wonderful fruit, the tobacco notes are very appealing and earthy notes help make this wine a benchmark young Brunello for me. As good as it is right now, it will only getting better for years to come. As highly recommended as any wine I have ever recommended.
1999 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
Had this over the course of two nights. Started out surprisingly tight, but it unwound quickly. Nice plum and red berry fruit with tobacco, earth, and some dark chocolate. A funky wine in a good way, and a monster QPR. Only downside is that I picked up on a hint of bitterness/astringency. I think the tannins are beginning to outlast the fruit, so I think it's time to drink up with this wine. Certainly no need to drink it immediately, but I still think this needs to be consumed within the next five years.
2004 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
Brilliant wine. In a moment of heresy, I opened this to drink with a dinner of Pizza. That said, despite the simple and rustic meal, this wine is just unbelievably fun to drink. Although it is young, it has layers upon layers of ripe Tuscan red and black fruits along with tobacco, leather, earth, and some barnyard. Although one can taste that the fruit was ripened in warm and sunny Tuscany, the wine retains fantastic freshness and has a structure that can reward decades of aging (based on my drinking of older vintages of Pertimali). This is a must buy for lovers of structured, finesse Brunello.
1999 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
Brilliant wine. Velvety smooth texture, but focused, layered cherry and plum fruit. Good freshness and tell-tale Italian funkiness in this wine. You can taste the warm Tuscan sun and earth. Lovely wine. Although this can certainly be held for some time to come, this is drinking absolutely spectacularly right now.
2000 Cerbaiola (Salvioni) Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
What a great wine. Amazingly pure black and red fruit, superb freshness, and a killer finish. Plum and blackberry, leather, earth, and a tiny bit of tobacco. Quite rustic and funky, but in a good way. The fruit screams sun drenched, yet it's light on its feet. Laser focused and restrained. If this isn't the best Brunello I've had, it is definitely one of the very best I've tasted. Amazing stuff and a real treat on a Saturday night. And did I mention that this went terrifically with food? Has the structure to age many more years, so no need to hurry. If you have a chance to buy this at a reasonable cost, this is a no-brainer purchase.
1999 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
- 1999 Fattoria La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (5/28/2009)
This is definitely a winner. Deep dark berry and plum fruit with some tobacco, earth, and lots of italo-barnyard. Just a classy wine with a velvety and silk texture and a classy finish. If there's a wine that goes great with roast pork, this is it. Food friendly yet nicely ripe and fresh at the same time. Love this stuff. Only word of caution....I had it open for a few days, and after three days, it began tasting a little pruney...tells me that it should be had in the next 5 years or so. YMMV.
Posted from CellarTracker
Open a bottle evening (chez Shannon and David)
Last night, our regular group of food and wine friends was summoned to Shannon and David's abode to taste some of Shannon's delicious cooking and a lineup of fun wines. On to the wines:
Starter Whites
- 2006 Dönnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Nahe
Was even a touch better on night 2 than the night before. Very tasty, and high acidity makes this a great cheese wine. I paired it with some Chabichou de Poitou goat cheese drizzled with honey and rosemary. Winning combination. Unfortunately, my other wine pairing of Bleu d'Auvergne and White Burgundy was a miss. I should have had some Granny Smith Apple on the cheeseplate as that would have enhanced the Riesling goat cheese pairing further. Oh well. - 2006 Domaine Ramonet Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc
This was OK, but not good. I think at the mid $20s price, this underperforms slightly, at least right now. Has a little bitterness on the palate and seems very stern, angular and four-square. Finish is long, but alcohol rears it's ugly head slightly. Acid was fine, but this never came together. Disappointing for this producer for sure.
Reds
- 1978 Clos Fourtet - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Just like the last bottle, this one was magic. Funky, but with surprising structure and tannins. Blackberries and leather and great verve. Finish solid. I love this wine. - 1999 Château Margaux - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
This was clearly a great wine. Tasted blind. I would have never guessed Bordeaux or Margaux for that matter. I did guess this as a young Barolo. It had great freshness and tar with some floral overtones. Elegant through and through. Turns out it was a Chateau Margaux. Oops. In my defense, this bottle was incredibly backward for a 1999, and the nose didn't gave up a whole lot. The palate was more generous, but it still was a little tight. Maybe a longer decant would have helped. Either way, great juice from a sleeper vintage. Thanks Shannon. - 2005 Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir Jayson - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Oh brother. Didn't like this. Cherry, vanilla, and cotton candy. Surprisingly red fruited for a Sonoma Coast. Cloudy appearance and hot on the finish for my taste. Really difficult for me to say anything good about this wine. - 2006 Braida (Giacomo Bologna) Monferrato Il Bacialé - Italy, Piedmont, Monferrato
This wasn't a half bad bottle of wine. Showed some typicity for Piemonte, had good fruit, solidly made. Good freshness and went well with food. Good everyday drinker. Just a little outgunned by some of the other wines on the dinner table. - 1999 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Although I don't think this touched the Margaux or the Clos Fourtet last night, it was clearly a very good wine. The only deduction (and a sizeable for me) is that I found it near impossible to identify this as Brunello, even after the wine was revealed. It had old world acid and structure, but the fruit and viscosity could have been from anywhere in the new world. Just a bit to too oily. That said, I still think it's very good and certainly NOT overoaked, which gives me hope that between the good acid levels, the structure, the ample fruit, and the low oak, this should gel into a very good wine down the road. - 2001 Patrick Lesec Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rubis - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Opened at the end of last night, this started slowly, similar to the bottle I opened last August. It did gain traction quicker though than last time, and I htink it drank pretty dang good last night. As usual, this Rubis is light in color and shows its high Grenache content by way of being ever so slightly reductive and loaded with roasted herbs. Traditional in style, but somewhat lower than usual in acidity. Drinks great and would ceratinly qualify as a real value wine in my opinion.
There were also two very nice Champagnes, one from Turgy, and one from another small producer, but I didn't pay any attention to them other than that I liked them a lot. Thanks to Shannon and David for their incredible vinous and gastronomical generosity. Next time, it will be our turn to host.
Birthday Dinner Chez Pelz
Last night, our friends convened at our house to celebrate the birthdays of our friend Lauryl and myself. For the occasion, the food was as follows:
Appetizer: Melted brie with home-made crispy hazelnut bread and red pepper jam (prepared by Shannon)
Entree: Whole bone-in pork loin chop with braised kale and porcini risotto (prepared by yours truly)
Dessert: Apple/Almond Gratin (prepared by Lauryl)
I actually had made a cranberry/apple chutney well in advance, but I forgot to serve it with all the hustle in the kitchen....I guess we'll save it for Thanksgiving.
With Appetizer:
- 1998 Deutz Champagne Blanc de Blancs - France, Champagne
Served last night with appetizers. Very tasty and those familiar brioche and yeasty flavors I love in BdB. Bead and mousse were a little more coarse than I expected, but overall, this was excellent.
With Entree
- 2004 Roger Sabon Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Olivets - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I continue to enjoy the 2004 CdPs. This wine was very clearly a CdP with red fruit, red licorice, some olive tapenade and garrigue. This is as typical and traditional a CdP as I have tasted in a while. Very mellow already and ready to drink without further cellaring. I liked this a lot. - 1982 Château de Sales - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, Pomerol
I love mature Bordeaux. This bottle had been lovingly stored as it was in great condition. Red fruit, plum and tobacco on the nose had me guessing left bank Bordeaux from 78/79, but alas I was wrong. Either way, this was just fantastic and kept unwinding throughout the evening. Very smooth texture and textbook finish with tertiary flavors dominating. Impressive showing. - 2005 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Chante Le Merle Vieilles Vignes (Chantemerle) - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Another CdP. Although I recognized this as a CdP, it was in a different style from the Sabon. Much bigger and more fruit forward, and with a much darker fruit profile, this nevertheless had the elements that I associate with CdP...garrigue, olive tapenade, almost slightly oily texture, truffle/earth and black licorce. Finishes strong. Seems like it would have a fairly good size Mourvedre and Syrah component. This is a candidate for extended cellaring in my opinion, and a wine I am glad to own some of. - 2004 Icardi Langhe Nebbiolo Surisjvan - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
I pegged this correctly as being from Italy, specifically Piedmont. I incorrectly thought it was a Barbera. Either way, it had the typical acid and funk profile I love in Piedmont wines. Great balance and dark fruit with floral undertones. Finished well. I rather liked this a lot. - 1995 Château Troplong Mondot - France, Bordeaux, Libournais, St. Émilion Grand Cru
Great bottle. Every time I drink this '95, it reminds me how much better it is than its '94 counterpart. Definitely still young with good structure, but it's beginning to get mellow and it shows some secondary flavors of earthiness and leafiness. Some tobacco and black currant with a touch of earth and truffle. Everything is here and all with great balance and class. A reminder why I like Bordeaux even if I don't currently drink very much of it. - 2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Decanted for 7 hours. Dark, almost black color. Nose is intense with black fruit, leather, and some earthiness and cedar. Incredibly velvety texture and monster finish. As much fruit and structure as there is in this wine, there's also plenty of acidity to balance the wine out. It's definitely balanced impeccably. For lovers of traditional Brunello, this may be a disappointment as it is made in a modern style, but to drink with food, it was very good. That being said, to me, I align more with Galloni's assessment than Suckling's. - 1999 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve le Clos du Caillou - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
And yet another CdP. Again, I guessed this as CdP because of the garrigue, licorice, creosote, and earth/truffle. A big, dark, brooding CdP, that I would guess has significant Mourvedre and Syrah precentages in the blend. Finishes very strong, and it's a candidate for long term cellaring as well. Nowhere near sa approachable as many other 2004s I have had.
With Dessert
- 1998 Château Climens - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Very good. Golden color. Clean, focused honey and pear with some honeysuckle. Good companion to the apple gratin dessert.
1999 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
1999 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago (Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino)
This may be one of the best reds I've had this year. What is amazing is what this wine isn't. It's not a fruit bomb and it's not plush and sweet like many more modern Brunellos. It is instead am incredibly focused, intense, elegant, balanced Brunello that is sa old school as many of the old school producers like Pertimali and Salvioni. Great cherry, dark chocolate and freshness on the palate but without so much as a hint of heaviness on the palate. Just an awesome wine for Brunello fans.
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