Was everything I'd expected it to be and more. Granted, my first taste from a legendary vintage, but I now know why this Brunello is loved by so many. Will save the remaining four. One note: I drank this alongside a '15 Salvioni, which I actually preferred, but both were obviously outstanding wines. I do think the Salvioni might be better QPR, especially given scarcity due to small output.
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Opened in HK. We did an experiment and decanted half of the bottle, and kept the other half in the bottle.
Upon first opening, this was quite monolithic and reductive. This was probably due to the bottle being quite warm as well, so we decided to decant half of it and stick both the decanter and the bottle in the fridge for a little bit as we enjoyed the Raveneau instead.
With some air and having cooled down, this really started to shine - roses and cherries coming through on the nose, and going down really nicely on the palate, even though there was still some tension. Tannins present yet integrated and felt mostly weightless. This was consistent across both the wine from the decanter, and the wine left in the bottle - aromas probably slightly more intense from the bottle, which confirms my belief that the best way of opening a PdS (and most BdMs) is to slow-ox in advance for many hours, or double decant instead if you're a bit more rushed for time.
This will get better with more age, as it does feel a bit tight. Definite upside in my opinion, given the producer and the vintage. Let's see how this performs when it's 10 years old in 3+ years time.
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Opened in the bottle several hours. Transparent and elegant with the right amount of ripeness. Cherry, raspberry, mineral/dried earth, pine, tobacco…. This need serious time in bottle to fatten up but drinkable now.
CNY Day 1 late night at home with neighbourhood friends. Drank in Grassl Cru. Tasted blind. Nailed it, guessing it as the bigger brother of the 2016 Rosso in the same vintage. Was initially reticent and needed more air time to get going. Fruit feels slightly darker and riper although is essentially the same grapes and juice just with more ageing. More substance and tannin structure for sure. Leave me wondering about the Riserva. Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs. Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of ripe red cherries, new leather, earth with slight tar. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), structured fine high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of red licorice, sweet crayons, sweet ripe red cherries (darker at first and lightening up with air), new leather, sweet earth and tar. Very long finish. Excellent quality. More upside for sure with more age. Conservative score. Rosso 2016 more enjoyable at this point of time.
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Transparent wine. Beautiful and smoky bouquet with red berries. Same on the palate, chocolate, beautiful oaky flavors, beautiful acidity and mild tannin. Also a pleasant touch of sweetness. Overall a very beautiful and elegant wine.
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During a lunch in Montalcino side by side with the 2016 Fuligni. This bottle showed its mettle right off the bat. Polished tannins, elegant mouth feel, complex aromas around rose petals, sweet spices. A great Brunello A to Z. Good now but better keep this a few more years.
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Not much time to decant, drank at Matricianella in Rome. Still youthful but already drinking well with elegant, pretty fruit and aromatics. Will be even better with time, but I would have no problem drinking this young again as it’s quite tasty at this stage.
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Grabbed this by accident, thought it was a Rosso! A baby and a regrettable pull. None the less over two days purity and structure prevailed, abundant cherry, herb, nettle, gravelly Kirsch, heavy perfume. Complex and long finish. Wil be beautiful in a decade.
Opened for 2 hours. Color: Classic translucent ruby. On the nose: Cherry , rose, a bit of cola. On the palate: Kirsch, rose, cola and licorice. This is beautifully elegant. A great Brunello.
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10/30/2023 - rpfaffjr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Was everything I'd expected it to be and more. Granted, my first taste from a legendary vintage, but I now know why this Brunello is loved by so many. Will save the remaining four. One note: I drank this alongside a '15 Salvioni, which I actually preferred, but both were obviously outstanding wines. I do think the Salvioni might be better QPR, especially given scarcity due to small output.
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8/9/2023 - oxwombat Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened in HK. We did an experiment and decanted half of the bottle, and kept the other half in the bottle.
Upon first opening, this was quite monolithic and reductive. This was probably due to the bottle being quite warm as well, so we decided to decant half of it and stick both the decanter and the bottle in the fridge for a little bit as we enjoyed the Raveneau instead.
With some air and having cooled down, this really started to shine - roses and cherries coming through on the nose, and going down really nicely on the palate, even though there was still some tension. Tannins present yet integrated and felt mostly weightless. This was consistent across both the wine from the decanter, and the wine left in the bottle - aromas probably slightly more intense from the bottle, which confirms my belief that the best way of opening a PdS (and most BdMs) is to slow-ox in advance for many hours, or double decant instead if you're a bit more rushed for time.
This will get better with more age, as it does feel a bit tight. Definite upside in my opinion, given the producer and the vintage. Let's see how this performs when it's 10 years old in 3+ years time.
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7/9/2023 - johnh1001 wrote:
Corked
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2/19/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 94 Points
Opened in the bottle several hours. Transparent and elegant with the right amount of ripeness. Cherry, raspberry, mineral/dried earth, pine, tobacco…. This need serious time in bottle to fatten up but drinkable now.
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2/17/2023 - jledden wrote:
D
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1/22/2023 - Derek Darth Taster Likes this wine: 94 Points
CNY Day 1 late night at home with neighbourhood friends. Drank in Grassl Cru. Tasted blind. Nailed it, guessing it as the bigger brother of the 2016 Rosso in the same vintage. Was initially reticent and needed more air time to get going. Fruit feels slightly darker and riper although is essentially the same grapes and juice just with more ageing. More substance and tannin structure for sure. Leave me wondering about the Riserva.
Appearance is clear, pale intensity, ruby colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium+ intensity, with aromas of ripe red cherries, new leather, earth with slight tar. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium alcohol (13.5%), structured fine high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of red licorice, sweet crayons, sweet ripe red cherries (darker at first and lightening up with air), new leather, sweet earth and tar. Very long finish.
Excellent quality. More upside for sure with more age. Conservative score. Rosso 2016 more enjoyable at this point of time.
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11/20/2022 - Zweder wrote: 94 Points
Transparent wine. Beautiful and smoky bouquet with red berries. Same on the palate, chocolate, beautiful oaky flavors, beautiful acidity and mild tannin. Also a pleasant touch of sweetness. Overall a very beautiful and elegant wine.
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11/20/2022 - jkoenen wrote: 95 Points
Etheral, Burgundian, translucent, filigreed.
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10/19/2022 - El_Toro Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is one of the best Brunellos I ever had (except the Riserva). Lots of cherry, leather and herbs. Nearly perfect. 97+
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7/31/2022 - Collector1855 wrote: 96 Points
During a lunch in Montalcino side by side with the 2016 Fuligni. This bottle showed its mettle right off the bat. Polished tannins, elegant mouth feel, complex aromas around rose petals, sweet spices. A great Brunello A to Z. Good now but better keep this a few more years.
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7/6/2022 - d'Artagnan wrote: 95 Points
Pour souligner la victoire en cour d'appel (Éoliennes)
pas moins de 200 euros chez le caviste!
Un vin si fin, plein et très long, avec une texture aérienne, c’est un infanticide, mais le vin est déjà si bon. Un très grand vin. 95 pts
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6/15/2022 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 95 Points
Not much time to decant, drank at Matricianella in Rome. Still youthful but already drinking well with elegant, pretty fruit and aromatics. Will be even better with time, but I would have no problem drinking this young again as it’s quite tasty at this stage.
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2/11/2022 - T.E.D. wrote: 93 Points
Grabbed this by accident, thought it was a Rosso! A baby and a regrettable pull. None the less over two days purity and structure prevailed, abundant cherry, herb, nettle, gravelly Kirsch, heavy perfume. Complex and long finish. Wil be beautiful in a decade.
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12/11/2021 - Brian of Mull Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opened for 2 hours. Color: Classic translucent ruby. On the nose: Cherry , rose, a bit of cola. On the palate: Kirsch, rose, cola and licorice. This is beautifully elegant. A great Brunello.
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