3/31/2024 - manski Likes this wine:

Grown outside of Siena, in vineyards planted in 1971 at an altitude of 550m, this Sangiovese IGT is aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 2 months in stainless steel, and 18 months in bottle. The result is high tannins, big red fruit, great minerality, and beautiful legs in the glass. This paired so well with pizza and pasta in a rose sauce. First time having this producer but certainly won’t be the last

3/1/2024 - manski Likes this wine:

Tasted this in January 2024 at an Enoteca La Fortezza tasting event in NYC. As with most Talenti bottlings, this is a classic Brunello expression.. big red fruit with leather and a some floral notes. The tannins are prominent but not overly powerful or structured, which actually makes this young Brunello pretty approachable right now, which is unusual for such a recent vintage. I bought a case of this, as the QPR is hard to beat, and also picked up two bottles of the Piero, which is gearing up to a phenomenal offering. Overall, highly recommended and a classic Talenti vintage.

12/7/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

this is a special project from Tassi... hailing from the Franci Vineyard, located in southeast Montalcino, which is home to volcanic, sandy soil, as well as a healthy dose of sea breeze. this bottle is specifically Row 25 of the Franci Vineyard (aka "Filare 25"), as well as some grapes from rows 24 and 26, hand picked one by one by 30 people in the vineyard, and chosen for its specific taste profile. 2019 is the first vintage of Filare 25, and only 50 cases were made. 20 cases have already been allocated and so 30 remained at the time of tasting on December 7, 2023. I purchased half a case to stock away, and am very much looking forward to how this develops over the years.

this is big, with tons of red fruit, tobacco, and tannins. this will need time to calm down, but there's no denying this is a spectacular Brunello. congrats to the Tassi team for this exceptional effort.

1/3/2024 - manski Likes this wine:

I really love this producer. This is one of the smallest producers in Montalcino, only making between 50-75 cases per vintage. the lady that runs the winery, Beatrice, is 80 years old, and still has the grapes picked by hand in the vineyard. I was first introduced to Scopeto during the 2017 release, and I will continue to buy this every year. there's just something about the flavor profile I love, and I think it's the chalky minimality that's ever present in her wine... the fruit isn't as in your face as some other producers, but is much more balanced. interesting tid bit: Beatrice's husband was an artist, and the label of this wine is one of his final paintings he made before he passed away. if you have an opportunity to try this, I highly recommend it... I think this will end up being one of those producers that 10 years from now people look back and say "why didn't I buy more when I had the opportunity??"

12/7/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

what an unbelievable find, especially given the QPR. this hails from the east side of Montalcino, grown at around 450 meters. this doesn't really leave Italy... only 300 cases total are produced, and 50% of that is sold to restaurants in Montalcino and surrounding areas. the other 50% of the production is purchased by Enoteca La Fortezza for their clients. this has super elegant tannins, bright red fruit, and is much more approachable today than other 2019 brunellos ive tasted. pack it away for 5-7 years and don't feel guilty opening a bottle with dinner on a random Tuesday. this is a great expression of Brunello and the terroir.

12/7/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

this is special. the Piero always delivers, but this 2019 vintage is big, bold, and spicy, with loads of black fruit and prominent tannins. This will be the 5th vintage of the Talenti Piero (the 1st vintage was 2015) and only 3,200 bottles of the 2019 Piero were produced.

this needs time to settle, but this is going to be an amazing bottle in 10 to 15 years. score could be higher as it integrates. tasted at the Enoteca La Fortezza tasting event in NYC in December 2023.

9/24/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Absolutely incredible! Purchased this wine directly from Biondi Santi, from their "La Storica" release. Since this came directly from Biondi Santi, it helped that it was stored perfectly its whole life. Unbelievable how much fruit this was still showing on a bottle that is 35 years old. Loads of cherry that still comes through, a nice compliment of leather and tobacco as well. The tannins are obviously soft, but still had some structure to it. We couldn't believe how well this was drinking. Honestly, this was a top 5 wine I've ever had. It was my only bottle, and I really wish I had more in the cellar. If you get the opportunity to try this, consider yourself lucky. Magnificent!

6/13/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Purchased directly from Fuligni while in Italy. I want to drink this every day of my life. Goodness... this is just a classic Brunello that is so nuanced and well done. Red Fruit on the front palate with notes of lavender, chalky minimality and tobacco on the back end. This is just everything I want in a Brunello, and this has a ton more life left in it. Outstanding.

6/13/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Actually really enjoyed this. First time trying this producer, and really like this Bordeaux blend from Sarteano in Tuscany! Bright red fruit with lots of strawberry, with some plum, followed by pepper and graphite. Excellent QPR from a smaller producer. Definitely give this a try if you have the opportunity!

3/19/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Absolutely, positively incredible. Wine of the Year so far. Purchased directly from Biondi Santi “La Storica”. It took about 30min to an hour to open up, but this was just so complex and intoxicating. Tobacco, cassis, red fruit, chalk, and spice. This is truly magical, and very happy to have one more bottle left. Paired wonderfully with ribeye cooked on the big green egg and some homemade rigatoni vodka with guanciale. If you have the opportunity to try this I highly highly recommend it.

3/5/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

This bottle is singing right now. Purchased direct from Fuligni, incredibly well integrated with loads of bright red fruit, highlighted by raspberries and cherries. Nice mint, tobacco and chalk undertones. Still has great structure but has softened nicely. Had this, decanted, over the course of two hours and was definitely wine of the night. Started at cellar temp and came up nicely over time. Beautiful wine and highly recommended.

2/7/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Decanted and drank over the course of 4 hours. Merlot dominant blend, with lots of dark red fruit and an earthiness to it. Really started to open up on the 3 hour mark, and paired well with medium rare Bavette, Brussel sprouts, and pasta with a mushroom cream sauce. Not highly acidic which was nice as well. Overall, for the price, you can find a much better wine, but there's no denying this merlot blend is a delight and drinking well right now with a proper decant.

1/6/2023 - manski Likes this wine:

Drank this over the course of 5 hours and this really started to open up once it hit the 2-3 hour mark. Very young, and has the structure to last a long time in the cellar, but already showing incredible promise. Big dark fruit immediately hits the palate, as well as tons of leather and tobacco. With time you also get some nice floral notes. This is a big wine that needs time. But if you want to see what you have on your hands now, like I did, you will enjoy it immensely.

12/19/2020 - manski Likes this wine:

Quiet enjoyed this. Very fruit forward with bright red fruit. Tasted over the course of two hours, and as is tradition the second half of the bottle was better than the first. Silky medium texture with a nice long finish. Have another bottle and will try again in two years... should be hitting prime time around then.