Palazzo
Riserva Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2015
After a 30 minute decant/aeration, the energetic and tightly knit 2015 Palazzo Reserva displays an attractive redberry/garnet appearance. Unfortunately, it is aromatically subdued, with flavors also reflecting that restrained stance.
Overall, it is medium/full, firmly structured with a good balance of tangy acidity and spicy tannins at the long finish. It may come around with more time in the decanter … or more time on the shelf for the additional bottle that I possess.
— 2 months ago
Conti Costanti
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2006
The elegantly textured 2006 Costanti Brunello is Gorgeous in all aspects, leading off with a leggy, dark garnet appearance, seductive tertiary aromatics and flavors, a solid medium/full structure backed up by an abundance of fruit, succulent acidity, light dusty tannins and a very long and satisfying finish. WOW! (Also, it was ideal with tonight’s Pâté de Campagne.)
— 2 months ago
Argiano
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013
The savory and youthful 2013 Argiano BDM displays an attractive ruby/garnet, Bing cherry appearance, as the color is backed up by perfumed aromatics and flavors of all types of red berries and cherries.
It is nicely balanced and well structured with juicy acidity, and supporting, light dusty tannins at the long, lip smacking finish. Overall, very Pinot Noir-ish. The combination of aging in barrique and large oak barrels creates an interesting complexity and texture not typically found in other BDMs. Great stuff!! — 7 days ago
La Cerbaiola di Salvioni Giulio
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2013
Then 2013 Salvioni La Cerbaiola is drop dead Gorgeous in all aspects, including the deep, dark and dense ruby-red, garnet appearance, the fruit-laden, perfumed aromatics and flavors, as well as the well balanced structure of ample fruit, medium acidity, and gentle tannins at the long satisfying finish.
Overall, it’s medium/full, particularly elegant and vibrant, from a cooler than normal vintage that many described as a “return to classicism.” I’m unfamiliar with older vintages (prior to global warming) but this is MY style of Brunello. Refined, Classy and a Joy to swirl, sniff and savor.
— a month ago
Le Clos du Caillou / Domaine du Caillou
Les Quartz Côtes du Rhône Red Rhone Blend 2020
Rack of Lamb is on the menu tonight and this delicious, easy drinking blend of Grenache and Syrah (80/20), from a unique vineyard footprint that lies in both CNDP and CDR, comes this 2020 Les Quartz from the h in igh quality southern Rhone, Les Clos du Caillou producer.
It displays a gorgeous, leggy, red berry appearance that is backed up by perfumed red and black berry aromas and flavors.
Overall, it is full bodied, lightly structured with a good balance of crisp acidity and light, dusty tannins, which together, deliver a delicious, mouth coating finish. (BTW, It worked beautifully with a sashimi grade tuna appetizer!)
— 3 months ago
Presqu'ile Winery
Presqu'ile Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
The 2023 Presqu’ile Pinot Noir displays a Bing cherry appearance, that is backed up by red cherry aromatics and flavors.
Definitely more Burgundian than New World Pinots, it is light >medium bodied, quite savory, very well balanced with juicy acidity, and light dusty tannins at the finish which definitely clear the palate.
I think the 2023 is a great example of not overpowering the fruit with manipulations from the winemaker’s tool box. It Clearly punches above its price point.
— 11 days ago
Domaine de Colette
Fleurie Gamay 2023
Seventy year old vines of this Domaine Colette 2023 Fleurie deliver a leggy, dark purple appearance that is backed up and confirmed by an abundance of perfumed and flavorsome red and black fruits. It is medium>full, well balanced and solidly structured with medium+ acidity and matching soft drying tannins at the long, tasty finish. A solid Cru, without much (if any) carbonic maturation, and one of the sturdier Fleuries that I’ve come across. — 17 days ago
E. Guigal
Brune et Blonde de Guigal Côte-Rotie Syrah 2005
Still displaying the youth and vitality of a much younger wine, its black fruit appearance is dark and dense, the confirming perfumed aromatics and dark fruit flavors are still quite primary, and its structure is solid with ample fruit, light acidity, and supporting, chalky tannins at the long mouth coating finish. Definitely in its Golden Years. (Should be ideal with tonight’s Soy marinated Rack of Lsmb.)
— 2 months ago
Fattoria Selvapiana
Vigneto Bucerchiale Riserva Chianti Rùfina Sangiovese 2009
A World Class single vineyard Sangiovese from the elevated Chianti appellation east of Florence and Chianti Classico.
With a gorgeous, deep garnet appearance, teasing tertiary aromatics and flavors, the earthy 2009 is medium/full, deep, robust, still solidly structured and balanced with ample acidity and light, dusty tannins. — 4 months ago
Tom Barras
I have enjoyed many vintages of the excellent single vineyard Reserva (Bucerchiale) from Selvapiana, but the fruity 2018 is one of the more satisfying ones. Perfumed red and black fruit aromatics soar from the stemware. It is Medium >full, balanced and well structured with crisp acidity and light tannins at the satisfying finish. This Sangiovese star from the Rufina appellation East of Florence, always punches well above its price point. If you’re unaware of it, time to check it out. (It continues to identify it as 2013, but please note it is 2018.)
— 4 days ago