(9/1/20) I bought this bottle, which had a fill that was just into the neck, for $20 on a whim from an area wine merchant/auction house because 2007 was such a great year for Brunello and research showed this to be a decent producer.
The cork was soaked to within a centimeter of the top and appeared to have lost a bit on the bottom end—it was not located during decanting. There was little to no sediment in the bottle. I’ve read about wines disintegrating in front of the taster’s eyes, but I’ve never experienced it until now.
The wine appeared deep garnet with medium bricking. The nose was initially full of strong red and black fruits with just a hint of tertiary development. At the first sip, this was an amazing wine. The tannins seemed fine but present, and the fruit was strong and fresh. The tannins, however, seemed to dissolve in the glass as we drank, leaving the very nice, red and black fruits matched with a vein of acidity and the high alcohol, which I could taste more and more as time passed.
There was a moment in the first five minutes when this was a 95-point wine, but my score is for the overall experience. I know some people like it when the tannins are resolved and the wine just slips down, but I like everything to age together, and here this didn’t happen; 15% abv. (**/14/85)
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on point! ripe but so very old world all at once. no prob aging this longer but not sure why. yum and double yum on the price i grabbed this for (under 30) not sure if that's typical.
solid brunello great year duh
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Detailed note lost on page refresh... Garnet fading to translucent brick with a strip of orange at the edge. Good. Some barnyard. Ripe cherry and dust.
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PnP. Initially hot, volatile, darker fruit aromas. Color is fairly opaque purple with a small band of lighter purple at the edge. This is settling down some after a few minutes, although still somewhat hot on the palate. There is a bit of astringency or bitter licorice appearing in the finish about an hour after opening. Not sure on this night if it was my palate or the wine.
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Found this wine considerably less interesting than a year ago. Bottle variation, perhaps, or maybe just having tasted a lot of brunello in the interim. The wine is forward and showcases almost over-ripe fruit, a hallmark of many '07s -- in addition to the traditional sangio flavors, there is a sweet cola feel to the overall taste. Lacks finesse, finishes short and is somewhat one dimensional -- an awkward sloppy kiss of a wine. Pushing 15% and showing it now. Hoping for a better balance with aging.
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Appearance: Medium ruby with very slight bricking, exceptionally clear, medium legs, no sediment. Decant + 1-3 hours: Nose: Strong red fruit, blood orange, meat and underbrush. Taste: Dense fruit, almond, char, hints of citrus, underbrush. Somewhat tight. Attack: Nice and soft up front. Acid and EtOH balance from middle on. Velvety tannin. Day 2: This opened up nicely! The almond/marzipan funk has dissipated. Good, clean fruit, braced with underbrush, light oak, and fine tannins. window: Now-2016. Overall: I really like this wine! Decent QPR at $30.
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Slow-ox'd for approximately 1 hour before serving. Showing a delicious, rich style of Brunello. Plenty of oak and oak flavors. Very nicely put together with just enough acidity and structure to keep it interesting. Tart cherry, dusty tannins, black pepper, oak, and dried herb kept the wine together quite well. I suspect it will be at peak in five years or so, not quite a long-lived Brunello.
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The '06 gets better reviews, and while they're both great at this price point, I'd almost have to rate this above the '06. It has a real face mask grab upon first opening, and after a few hours settles into that mocha thing I love in Brunellos. It's not a riserva, but it's like one, for about $20 less. Sweet!
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Surprising floral notes of lavender are unmistakable even this early in the cycle. The wine turns more monolithic with air, with primary flavors of ripe youthful wine overtaking the subtle aromas. The balance is better on the following day, but this wine needs more time in the bottle. Ripe and well extracted, it has all the rights stuffing and should gain in complexity with several years of aging.
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9/1/2020 - Jake Barnes wrote: 85 Points
(9/1/20) I bought this bottle, which had a fill that was just into the neck, for $20 on a whim from an area wine merchant/auction house because 2007 was such a great year for Brunello and research showed this to be a decent producer.
The cork was soaked to within a centimeter of the top and appeared to have lost a bit on the bottom end—it was not located during decanting. There was little to no sediment in the bottle. I’ve read about wines disintegrating in front of the taster’s eyes, but I’ve never experienced it until now.
The wine appeared deep garnet with medium bricking. The nose was initially full of strong red and black fruits with just a hint of tertiary development. At the first sip, this was an amazing wine. The tannins seemed fine but present, and the fruit was strong and fresh. The tannins, however, seemed to dissolve in the glass as we drank, leaving the very nice, red and black fruits matched with a vein of acidity and the high alcohol, which I could taste more and more as time passed.
There was a moment in the first five minutes when this was a 95-point wine, but my score is for the overall experience. I know some people like it when the tannins are resolved and the wine just slips down, but I like everything to age together, and here this didn’t happen; 15% abv. (**/14/85)
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4/10/2019 - mike l. Likes this wine: 90 Points
on point! ripe but so very old world all at once. no prob aging this longer but not sure why. yum and double yum on the price i grabbed this for (under 30) not sure if that's typical.
solid brunello great year duh
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2/6/2018 - anderegg Likes this wine:
Detailed note lost on page refresh...
Garnet fading to translucent brick with a strip of orange at the edge.
Good. Some barnyard. Ripe cherry and dust.
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11/3/2017 - anderegg wrote:
PnP. Initially hot, volatile, darker fruit aromas. Color is fairly opaque purple with a small band of lighter purple at the edge. This is settling down some after a few minutes, although still somewhat hot on the palate. There is a bit of astringency or bitter licorice appearing in the finish about an hour after opening. Not sure on this night if it was my palate or the wine.
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4/4/2015 - birdiefour Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice Sangiovese .....smooth, typical cherry and dusty notes. Drinking very well right now. Paired superbly with grilled ribeye alla Fiorentina.
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10/15/2014 - swapdoc wrote:
Found this wine considerably less interesting than a year ago. Bottle variation, perhaps, or maybe just having tasted a lot of brunello in the interim. The wine is forward and showcases almost over-ripe fruit, a hallmark of many '07s -- in addition to the traditional sangio flavors, there is a sweet cola feel to the overall taste. Lacks finesse, finishes short and is somewhat one dimensional -- an awkward sloppy kiss of a wine. Pushing 15% and showing it now. Hoping for a better balance with aging.
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6/24/2014 - PostOakBluffer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Appearance: Medium ruby with very slight bricking, exceptionally clear, medium legs, no sediment.
Decant + 1-3 hours:
Nose: Strong red fruit, blood orange, meat and underbrush.
Taste: Dense fruit, almond, char, hints of citrus, underbrush. Somewhat tight.
Attack: Nice and soft up front. Acid and EtOH balance from middle on. Velvety tannin.
Day 2: This opened up nicely! The almond/marzipan funk has dissipated. Good, clean fruit, braced with underbrush, light oak, and fine tannins.
window: Now-2016.
Overall: I really like this wine! Decent QPR at $30.
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3/28/2014 - ucbeau Likes this wine:
Slow-ox'd for approximately 1 hour before serving. Showing a delicious, rich style of Brunello. Plenty of oak and oak flavors. Very nicely put together with just enough acidity and structure to keep it interesting. Tart cherry, dusty tannins, black pepper, oak, and dried herb kept the wine together quite well. I suspect it will be at peak in five years or so, not quite a long-lived Brunello.
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10/14/2013 - Tim and Bonnie wrote: 90 Points
The '06 gets better reviews, and while they're both great at this price point, I'd almost have to rate this above the '06. It has a real face mask grab upon first opening, and after a few hours settles into that mocha thing I love in Brunellos. It's not a riserva, but it's like one, for about $20 less. Sweet!
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4/16/2013 - swapdoc wrote:
Surprising floral notes of lavender are unmistakable even this early in the cycle. The wine turns more monolithic with air, with primary flavors of ripe youthful wine overtaking the subtle aromas. The balance is better on the following day, but this wine needs more time in the bottle. Ripe and well extracted, it has all the rights stuffing and should gain in complexity with several years of aging.
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5/16/2012 - David J Cooper wrote: 89 Points
Very light red. Tight nose showing cherry and floral notes. Very pure red fruit flavours and a dry tannic finish. Needs time.
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