Varietal

Brunello

Appellation

Italy, Brunello di Montalcino

Style

Red

Price

£

25

Stockist

Majestic

WOW Rating

92

Date Reviewed

1/5/2007

Ponderous aromas of blackberry, mushrooms and tobacco are followed by flavors of bright, vibrant fruit, black cherry, red cherry and green tobacco. This Brunello possesses a rich garnet colour, and a depth, complexity and opulence that is softened by an elegant, lingering aftertaste. Demand for wines from this historic zone has caused prices to continue to rise, especially after the 1997, a vintage of a lifetime.

"A breakthrough came in the late 1800s, when attention was focused in Montalcino on the Brunello grape, actually Sangioveto Grosso, a clone of Chianti's Sangiovese," explains assistant winemaker Lucio Matricardi. "This superior variety, carefully handled and extra-aged, yields superior wine, but news spread slowly because Italy's reputation in the wine world was held down by overproduction and lack of regulation." Brunello di Montalcino was Italy's first wine to be accorded the premiere D.O.C.G. status, a testament to its aristocracy, balance and fabulous proclivity for aging. Some consider this wine to be the most respected red of Italy. Aged for a total of up to four years, including a minimum of two years in oak barrels.
For more information, visit www.banfi.it.

Review by Darryl Beeson, North American Editor, Wine on the Web