Another WOTN candidate. While this is young and stuffed with rich, concentrated fruit its also bright and seamless, which allows the spice and herb complexities to come out and play. Among the elite Brunellos here.
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Sangiovese study (Chicago, IL): Outrageously good. This is the sort of wine that really drinks in the style that I personally really like. Perfumed, clean, and crystalline red fruit, with the nose showing true to type with tart red cherries and dried herbs. The palate shows a little leather, but mostly focusses on the red fruit. Brilliant acidity, sweet fruit, and great concentration. Drinking very well now; but with plenty of gas left in the tank.
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Mag Dinner 2021 (Il Giallo, Sandy Springs, GA): From magnum; great nose but a bit richer and more advancement than I'd expect from PdS from this vintage and format, lacy cherry and berry complicated by a kiss of brown sugar and balsamic, tanned leather, sandalwood, wilted roses, smells heavier and tastes a bit richer but the great acids keep everything tidy on the finish, tannins are another thing I love about these wines and they showed like a caressing hug; very good.
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Compared to the 2001 Soldera Riserva, this showed another side of Sangiovese. From the get-go, it showed far more savory notes than the Soldera, and less pure fruit notes. To my palate, that seemed to exaggerate the acidity somewhat. However, the PdS had very complex notes of saddle leather, smoke, and earth that made it seem like a more contemplative wine than the Soldera, which was just brimming with sweet fruit. However, while the Soldera seemed to show very similarly throughout the evening, the PdS improved greatly by the end of the night, when deliciously sweet cherry started to emerge on the palate. Combined with the savory complexity that was already there...well need I say more. This needs a few more years in bottle, IMHO.
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Among some very senior wines, this showed lovely richness and purity. 1999 VR from DRC was STAR IN SHOW, and this came after it. See my other notes... il Decennale ticked all the boxes, and the balance was a thing to behold. Gorgeous.
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Yes.. tricky to imagine Brunello can be better than this. Total precision, elegant, yet powerful. Impeccable balance, supreme length, utterly joyous. Beaten on the night, by one point, by 2002 RSV Hudely-Nood.
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PRANZO DA VINOGODI: Degustato alla cieca. Naso elegante, soffuso, più da erbe da cucina che sul frutto. Poi le spezie dolci del legno maturo, non dolciastro, anzi...ben dosato. Bocca sferica, composta, ma allo stesso tempo vibrante, fresca e di una sapidità spugnosa che fa salivare e richiede un sorso dopo l' altro. Lunghissimo il tannino ruvido, sulle arance amare. Un grande sangiovese da pesce. Wow che bel vino
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3 hour slo-o. Drank alongside the normal Brunello from Poggio di Sotto it was more open on the palate than the normal. A few in our group detected VA, but I have to admit I did not. The wine evolved nicely in the glass.
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I rated this 94 but the Mrs gave it 96, so here we are at a 95 compromise. Elegance personified. Lovely purity as before, red fruits, fruits of the forest, beautifully integrated and well-balanced. Quite high-toned fruit and the acidity a tad out of kilter in this bottle. Still a thing of beauty though, complimenti.
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Drank alongside the regular 01 Poggio di Sotto BdM, this was clearly the superior wine. Riper and richer black fruit, less herbal influence, with some notes of chocolate and coffee that suggest oak elevage. Not very evolved, with lots of structure still around, this is still well on the up. Better with food that helps cut the structure and allows the richness of the fruit to show through. Very nice.
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A very interesting side-by-side comparison with Poggio di Sotto's Brunello of the same vintage. At the open, they were rather similar, middle-weight wines with healthy acid, cherry fruit, and earthy character. The BdM started more expressively, with the Decennale more reticent. With air, however, the wines started to diverge precisely as one would have expected. In comparison (though not in absolute terms), the BdM showed more of an herbal side but was relatively more sour and shrill, whereas the Decennale was denser, more tannic, more complex, flitted between black and red fruit, showed some charry chocolate oak character, and took on a smoky note with some cinnamon. It actually reminded me more of a great Sandrone Cannubi I had than of other Sangiovese. This is definitely a great drink now with a good decant, but is just starting to unfurl. I'd love to watch it evolve over the next 10-20 years.
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I love this wine; so Burgundian. Wonderfully elegant, delicate, with plenty of ripe red fruits at the core. Sweet super fine tannin, balanced, and immensely pleasurable.
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w SD, Fillet steak and Charlotte rosemary chips: much excitement, and first impression is of a tight coil of a wine ready to spring. Very lively nose, zippy acidity (didnt expect that), fruits of the forrest, earthy, natural, very "real". In the mouth, savoury rich cherry fruit, and indeed medicinal herbs, quite exotic, and for sure supreme balance. Wish i had given this (my first of 12 bottles) a much longer decant; in the [v large] glasses, the wine blossomed - all sorts of nuances; savoury flavours, leathery notes, sweet red fruits, wicked complexity, perfect texture, uber sophisticated, unquestionably a great Brunello with 10 more years AT LEAST. Complimenti!
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Day later from memory. Fabulous wine with a puzzling back story. Originally meant to be a Brunello Riserva, in an apparent act of abject stupidity, the local DOCG authorities rejected the color of the wine and would not give it brunello status on the label. So instead they just called it Il Decennale, presumably because this is the winemaker's 10th vintage. It doesn't really matter what they call it, because it is flat out gorgeous. Decanted for four hours, it was a beautiful transluscent garnet color, which if the Brunello consorzio considers to be a flaw, all I can say is it's a good thing they don't get to rule on Burgundy or Barolo. Sublimely perfumed nose of sweet cherry, leather and minerals. Richly and elegantly textured, it spreads out in layers across the mouth and finishes with perfectly framed and gentle tannins. Given it's lovely feminine qualities following a 4 hour decant, one could only assume this special wine has a glorious future.
Really wish I could taste this one again. Came upon it after many other wines, and with a fairly numb palette. I was surprised to find it quite rustic, light weight, and with limited fruit. I'm sure this wine is better than this impression. It is my understanding that this was Piero Palmucci's '01 Riserva BdM that was not approved by the Consorzio because it was too light in color. If anyone can cofirm or correct this information, or add a different TN that would be very helpful.
3/31/2023 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank at 67
Incredible bottle, love the black label
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4/23/2022 - Nanda wrote:
Another WOTN candidate. While this is young and stuffed with rich, concentrated fruit its also bright and seamless, which allows the spice and herb complexities to come out and play. Among the elite Brunellos here.
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4/23/2022 - acyso wrote: 98 Points
Sangiovese study (Chicago, IL): Outrageously good. This is the sort of wine that really drinks in the style that I personally really like. Perfumed, clean, and crystalline red fruit, with the nose showing true to type with tart red cherries and dried herbs. The palate shows a little leather, but mostly focusses on the red fruit. Brilliant acidity, sweet fruit, and great concentration. Drinking very well now; but with plenty of gas left in the tank.
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6/27/2021 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Mag Dinner 2021 (Il Giallo, Sandy Springs, GA): From magnum; great nose but a bit richer and more advancement than I'd expect from PdS from this vintage and format, lacy cherry and berry complicated by a kiss of brown sugar and balsamic, tanned leather, sandalwood, wilted roses, smells heavier and tastes a bit richer but the great acids keep everything tidy on the finish, tannins are another thing I love about these wines and they showed like a caressing hug; very good.
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2/19/2020 - Michael T. Zoppo Likes this wine:
Compared to the 2001 Soldera Riserva, this showed another side of Sangiovese. From the get-go, it showed far more savory notes than the Soldera, and less pure fruit notes. To my palate, that seemed to exaggerate the acidity somewhat. However, the PdS had very complex notes of saddle leather, smoke, and earth that made it seem like a more contemplative wine than the Soldera, which was just brimming with sweet fruit. However, while the Soldera seemed to show very similarly throughout the evening, the PdS improved greatly by the end of the night, when deliciously sweet cherry started to emerge on the palate. Combined with the savory complexity that was already there...well need I say more. This needs a few more years in bottle, IMHO.
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8/8/2018 - Burgnick wrote: flawed
Slightly oxidized
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3/31/2018 - FoxyVintner Likes this wine: 98 Points
Birthday drinking with the parents in Christchurch. Opulent and velvety.
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1/5/2017 - sooper65 wrote: 99 Points
Pristine
utterly sublime showing at its very best... still youthful, lovely soft mid-weight.
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7/8/2016 - sooper65 wrote: 95 Points
Among some very senior wines, this showed lovely richness and purity.
1999 VR from DRC was STAR IN SHOW, and this came after it.
See my other notes... il Decennale ticked all the boxes, and the balance was a thing to behold.
Gorgeous.
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5/11/2016 - sooper65 wrote: 98 Points
Yes.. tricky to imagine Brunello can be better than this. Total precision, elegant, yet powerful. Impeccable balance, supreme length, utterly joyous.
Beaten on the night, by one point, by 2002 RSV Hudely-Nood.
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3/13/2016 - galenico Likes this wine: 94 Points
PRANZO DA VINOGODI: Degustato alla cieca. Naso elegante, soffuso, più da erbe da cucina che sul frutto. Poi le spezie dolci del legno maturo, non dolciastro, anzi...ben dosato. Bocca sferica, composta, ma allo stesso tempo vibrante, fresca e di una sapidità spugnosa che fa salivare e richiede un sorso dopo l' altro. Lunghissimo il tannino ruvido, sulle arance amare. Un grande sangiovese da pesce. Wow che bel vino
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11/11/2015 - cardsandwine Likes this wine:
3 hour slo-o. Drank alongside the normal Brunello from Poggio di Sotto it was more open on the palate than the normal. A few in our group detected VA, but I have to admit I did not. The wine evolved nicely in the glass.
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2/22/2015 - sooper65 Likes this wine: 95 Points
I rated this 94 but the Mrs gave it 96, so here we are at a 95 compromise. Elegance personified. Lovely purity as before, red fruits, fruits of the forest, beautifully integrated and well-balanced. Quite high-toned fruit and the acidity a tad out of kilter in this bottle. Still a thing of beauty though, complimenti.
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10/31/2014 - sooper65 wrote: 95 Points
Ah yes... real poise here. All the delicate high toned fruit, some complexity, fruits of the forrest. Gorgeous; elegance.
Very fine.
SKMW got over-excited... BEST BOTTLE EVER... FINEST WINE EVER!!!
Gives it 99 points... an she is MOST pleased, as I have 7 bottles left.
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7/7/2014 - coremill wrote: 91 Points
Drank alongside the regular 01 Poggio di Sotto BdM, this was clearly the superior wine. Riper and richer black fruit, less herbal influence, with some notes of chocolate and coffee that suggest oak elevage. Not very evolved, with lots of structure still around, this is still well on the up. Better with food that helps cut the structure and allows the richness of the fruit to show through. Very nice.
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7/6/2014 - cooberp wrote: 92 Points
A very interesting side-by-side comparison with Poggio di Sotto's Brunello of the same vintage. At the open, they were rather similar, middle-weight wines with healthy acid, cherry fruit, and earthy character. The BdM started more expressively, with the Decennale more reticent. With air, however, the wines started to diverge precisely as one would have expected. In comparison (though not in absolute terms), the BdM showed more of an herbal side but was relatively more sour and shrill, whereas the Decennale was denser, more tannic, more complex, flitted between black and red fruit, showed some charry chocolate oak character, and took on a smoky note with some cinnamon. It actually reminded me more of a great Sandrone Cannubi I had than of other Sangiovese. This is definitely a great drink now with a good decant, but is just starting to unfurl. I'd love to watch it evolve over the next 10-20 years.
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2/13/2014 - sooper65 wrote: 94 Points
I love this wine; so Burgundian. Wonderfully elegant, delicate, with plenty of ripe red fruits at the core. Sweet super fine tannin, balanced, and immensely pleasurable.
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9/26/2013 - sooper65 wrote: 98 Points
difficult to fault this - seamless, effortless, purity and absolute elegance. This is genius wine. properly excellent.
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1/27/2013 - sooper65 wrote: 94 Points
Beautiful!
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8/3/2011 - sooper65 wrote: 96 Points
w SD, Fillet steak and Charlotte rosemary chips: much excitement, and first impression is of a tight coil of a wine ready to spring. Very lively nose, zippy acidity (didnt expect that), fruits of the forrest, earthy, natural, very "real". In the mouth, savoury rich cherry fruit, and indeed medicinal herbs, quite exotic, and for sure supreme balance. Wish i had given this (my first of 12 bottles) a much longer decant; in the [v large] glasses, the wine blossomed - all sorts of nuances; savoury flavours, leathery notes, sweet red fruits, wicked complexity, perfect texture, uber sophisticated, unquestionably a great Brunello with 10 more years AT LEAST. Complimenti!
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3/28/2010 - bevetroppo wrote: 95 Points
Day later from memory. Fabulous wine with a puzzling back story. Originally meant to be a Brunello Riserva, in an apparent act of abject stupidity, the local DOCG authorities rejected the color of the wine and would not give it brunello status on the label. So instead they just called it Il Decennale, presumably because this is the winemaker's 10th vintage. It doesn't really matter what they call it, because it is flat out gorgeous. Decanted for four hours, it was a beautiful transluscent garnet color, which if the Brunello consorzio considers to be a flaw, all I can say is it's a good thing they don't get to rule on Burgundy or Barolo. Sublimely perfumed nose of sweet cherry, leather and minerals. Richly and elegantly textured, it spreads out in layers across the mouth and finishes with perfectly framed and gentle tannins. Given it's lovely feminine qualities following a 4 hour decant, one could only assume this special wine has a glorious future.
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10/24/2007 - Bob Fyke wrote:
Really wish I could taste this one again. Came upon it after many other wines, and with a fairly numb palette. I was surprised to find it quite rustic, light weight, and with limited fruit. I'm sure this wine is better than this impression. It is my understanding that this was Piero Palmucci's '01 Riserva BdM that was not approved by the Consorzio because it was too light in color. If anyone can cofirm or correct this information, or add a different TN that would be very helpful.
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