98 and older Brunellos+ one barolo
Caro Mio, Chicago IL
Tasted Tuesday, April 14, 2009 by KeithAkers with 865 views
Introduction
A few of us met up at Caro Mio to drink some brunellos from 98 and older. As many brunellos get drunk young, this brought about a good chance for us to check out how they evolve
Flight 1 - The brunellos (6 Notes)
There wasn't a specifically organized flight for this. More a grab two bottles and pair them off
Flight 2 - An ending barolo (1 Note)
Closing
A real fun night. The La Fuga was the only one that one would call fully mature. All of the other brunellos still have a way to go, though they were all ready to drink. Lots of good conversation was had and some good learning about the King of Sangiovese
1994 Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino 88 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: a bit tired at first with some dried red fruits and leather, but then opens up into mature tones of black cherries, herbs,and bits of parsley. This really took form after some time in the glass and shape shifted a bit
taste: nice medium and mature feel with bits of anise, dark red fruits, black cherries, leather, and herbal tones. A slight bit hollow on the mid palate, but the feel is very polished
overall: fully mature, and probably on the downslope of its life. An excellent wine from a not that great vintage that changed over the evening and provided intrigue
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1998 Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: plush and balanced nose filled with dried herbs, lush tones of red cherries, bits of spices and a good amount of dark florals. A very lovely and perfumed nose that is just singing from the get go
taste: lovely and vibrant tones of red cherries, garden herbs, red currants, spice tones and plush floral tones permate on the palate. Good tannins still persist with a beautiful plush medium feel
overall: This is fully ready to go. Fresh red fruit tones give this an attractive base. This was a pop n pour and took a bit to open up, but revealed itself to be a lovely and elegant brunello that certainly has plenty of time left
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1995 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: very cool and elegant nose with beautiful tones of violets, varied purple florals, dark red cherries, dried herbs and subtle tones of leather. A more nuanced nose that asks you to search rather then come straight to you
taste: smooth and cool tones of violets, perfumes, bits of leather, dark cherries and hints of dark mixed berry tones
overall: This is drinking in a great place right now. Very elegant and demure with well balanced tones that seem to just meld well together in harmony. This should be able to go for a while longer, but is fun to drink right now
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1990 Campogiovanni (San Felice) Brunello di Montalcino 93 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: very well balanced, though a bit reticent at first. Lovely pitched tones of Garden herbs, leather, dried floral tones, along with bits of anisette and subtle tones of perfumes. A very pretty and elegant nose that draws you in as opposed to coming straight for you
taste: elegant and silky medium feel with beautiful and round tones of dark red cherries, leather, dried floral tones and bits of garden herbs and perfumes
overall: this kept on gaining in the glass. Great dark red color that has a bit of bricking, this is fully mature, but will certainly hold at this level for a while. A very rich and elegant wine that provides intrigue
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1998 Tenuta Greppo (Biondi-Santi) Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: very subtle and nuanced nose that has a lushness to it with well balanced tones of roasted herbs, dark red fruits, black licorice, and a lot of spice tones that are on the subtle side that really draw you in
taste: a lovely feel with medium/high acidity that really strikes you right off the bat. Plush and rounded tones of red cherries, bits of roasted herbs, black licorice and bits of spice tones flow well across the palate
overall: always a treat to drink a biondi-santi. Extremely young as it was wound tight for a while, but then as it pulled back, it revealed this pure beauty and subtle wine that really makes you come to it and demands your attention
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1997 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso 94 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
nose: very deep and sumptuous nose filled with loads of herbs, dark red cherries, spice tones, and a good amount of black licorice tones. Wonderful purity that really strikes you
taste: Plush and rich medium feel with good tannins still present. Well balanced with great depth that provides rich tones of leather, black licorice, dark red cherries, spice tones and bits of herbs
overall: while drinking, this seems like its just starting to get going. Sumptuous and very deep, this is very pure at the same time and almost heady
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