Sangiovese from Tuscany

Tasted Monday, March 28, 2011 by Jojala with 455 views

Introduction

Tuscany night at Vaajakoski. Tasting of a brunello normale, a riserva and one IGT. We started with a Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve but I was too busy "lecturing" about Tuscany so I missed that almost completely. We closed the night with La Capannuccia Vin Santo 2000, which was very good (my first vin santo).

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

  • 2001 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Ripe al Convento 95 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Had the last bottle in 2008 and this had developed nicely. Looking at the brownish rim it was easy to guess which wine was at hand. Double decanted previous day yet the wine kept changing in the class anyhow. Fresh nose first (meaning 20h after opening) but developed plum notes in 3-4h time, which did not appeal to me but did not bother the others. Very full bodied with a wall of ripe tannins. Some sweetness that was apparent after tasting the wine nr. 2 (Flaccianello). This wine has a rather dark character, yet retaining the typical sour cherry, which again provided contrast to the more lively & acidic wine to come. Will last for years but hard to predict how this wine evolves. Drink next in 2014.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    This seemed closed on the nose as well as palate. Did not fair well in the company of Flaccianello and Castelgiocondo Riserva. No matter how much whirlingI did, it was difficult to get much out. Palate was anyhow balanced. Strong tannins but to me these were anyhow not green although greened than other wines of the night. Will the fruit last the dissolution of the tannins? 93 but I might be generous now.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2004 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 97 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

    Previous bottle was from 2008 with the score 93. Then this wine was very heavy on cedary oak. In half-blind setting I thought this must be Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, which I hadn't tasted before. Yet my better half guessed this. There is (still) artificial essence in the nose that reminds me of raspberry marzipan together with slight metallic edge . Palate is phenomenal, fresh with amazing purity of fruit and sense of naturalness. Red berries and vibrant noticeable acidity that carries the wine. Long. Just singing tonight.

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Closing

Flaccianello was a clear winner among the tasters and all were unanimous that Frescobaldi's Riserva was 2nd and that Casanova di Neri was clearly behind these two. Many thought that Frescobaldi kept on improving throughout the night.

×
×