Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. No visual signs of age. Initially quite the performer with gorgeous cherry fruit, baking spice, earth, mushroom. On the palate, slightly darker fruited, cocoa and what I sometimes refer to as “Tuscan dust”. After about an hour, I started to pick up a touch of brettanomyces which made the earth more pronounced. Another remarkable quality of this wine was its plush texture; almost velvet-like.
Revealed as the 1997 La Rasina. I believe this is my first experience with this producer though I’ve seen it around for years. This came across a touch modern yet I was told that this was back when botti were being used. Regardless, a lovely wine and a lovely showing for a 23 year old wine. At about hour two in the glass, I thought this started to lose some of its energy, just as the “La Palazzetta” started to come into its own. I would drink these sooner than later if I had some hanging out in my cellar.
This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. No visual signs of age. Initially quite the performer with gorgeous cherry fruit, baking spice, earth, mushroom. On the palate, slightly darker fruited, cocoa and what I sometimes refer to as “Tuscan dust”. After about an hour, I started to pick up a touch of brettanomyces which made the earth more pronounced. Another remarkable quality of this wine was its plush texture; almost velvet-like.
Revealed as the 1997 La Rasina. I believe this is my first experience with this producer though I’ve seen it around for years. This came across a touch modern yet I was told that this was back when botti were being used. Regardless, a lovely wine and a lovely showing for a 23 year old wine. At about hour two in the glass, I thought this started to lose some of its energy, just as the “La Palazzetta” started to come into its own. I would drink these sooner than later if I had some hanging out in my cellar.
