Tuscany 2010 Tasting

6 of us got to together for a blind tasting of 6 Tuscan 2010s, done as 3 pairs with each taster noting their top 3 wines. The wines were opened and slow oxed about 5 hours before, which i hindsight was not enough air.

• 2010 MastroJanni Brunello di Montalcino 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  1st of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  Lovely red/brown colour, great fruit and herbs/spices but very tannic today and slightly harsh and drying as a result. This needs time or a decant. I expect the rest of the bottle will be a lot better tomorrow!
  
  The groups lowest score.

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• 2010 Conti Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  2nd of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  More open for business than the Mastrojanni but still a bit closed and tannic. This had balsamic vinegar alongside beautiful black and fruit fruits, tobacco and cedar. Really beautiful brown colour.
  
  Joint second amongst the group.

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• 2010 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

  3rd of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  This showed the most red colour, looked like a fairly youthful Bordeaux, especially against the browning Brunellos. This needed several hours in the decanter, very big and tannic. Layers of ripe fruit but hidden away. Not much tertiary yet. I have one more bottle which I will hold for atleast 5 years, hopefully 10.
  
  Placed 4th by the group. I actually gave this a higher score for its potential.

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• 2010 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino Fornace 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  4th of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  Beautiful brown colour, tonnes of Italians herbs and spices. This just smells and tastes of Italy to me. Quite a nuanced, lean wine that makes you think. Real depth of flavour and a lot going on. But again this needed more air
  
  Group’s 3rd place.

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• 2010 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  5th of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  The most open wine of the day, this was showing very well. Garnet colour with clearing at the rim. Very different structure to the Brunellos and the tannins here were resolved and harmonious. Red cherries, leather, spices, some balsamic. Enjoyed this
  
  Group’s joint 2nd.

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• 2010 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino 95 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  6th of a 6 wine tasting, Tuscany 2010 theme, mainly Brunello. Wines slow oxed for a few hours but not decanted. All served a little too warm due to current UK heatwave.
  
  This had the most red colouration of the Brunellos drunk today, but still with a brown hue. This is a luxurious, silky wine. Not a powerhouse but brooding with wonderful fruit and tertiary notes developing. The tannins were far better controlled here and loads of fruit to balance them. A great wine and I am seeking more out!
  
  The group’s 1st place. And scored 1st by 4 of 6 people. A landslide.

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A few of the group initially thought Bordeaux but most reached Italy / Tuscany by the end, matching the brown colour of the Brunellos to their tannic structure which would have been unlikely in aged BBX. Most of the wines had balsamic vinegar/dried herbs which is a Tuscan note for me.

I personally liked the Cupano and Ragnaie the most. Flaccianello needs way more time. The others were good but not memorable - albeit all the wines would have benefitted from a few hours in a decanter and being served 1 or 2 degrees cooler.