*Edited, updated* Burgundian with a stand-out nose of red berries, a bit of baked earth, typical oak of the varietal. On the pleasant side of not being too acidic but I don’t know how long that balance will last - I find that if a Brunello trends acidic it only becomes moreso with age. Kept in Eurocave since release. One of the better 2006’s but I prefer this style generally, so make of that what you will.
A note on price and “value”: I paid approx $85 each for three bottles back when this was released. Which seems fair. I’m dubious that any non-Riserva Brunello is worth much more than $100, generally speaking. The best Brunello, indeed one of the top three wines I’ve ever had was the 2000 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille which was every bit of 98 points. That was about $100 and worth every penny. This? I’d have a hard time spending the going rate of $300+ on other vintages unless more recent vintages are dramatically better. Personally I’d spend that kind of money on a bottle from almost any other major wine region. It simply does not compare favorably to any variety of Super Tuscan, Napa Cab, Bordeaux or Burgundy, etc. in that price range. Just my 2¢.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
SangioFest, Volume III "It's my favourite spot" (Chicago, IL): I'm gonna make a confession -- I just don't really get the Stella di Campalto hype. They're very pretty wines on the whole, but there's always a lightness on the palate that often feels lacking. Also, these earlier vintages can be a bit inconsistent. Others liked the SdC flight much more than I did; I wasn't a big fan. This bottle showed a distinct balsamic and strawberries volatility that I didn't care for, and there was more of the volatility on the palate for me as well. A darker, less than typical fruit profile, with the fruit coming off cooked rather than fresh.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened in Hong Kong. Slow-oxed for 30 mins, then after a quick taste decided to decant.
Fourth bottle in as many weeks, opened in an attempt to lure Bordeaux drinkers away from France. Am happy to report that this Stella did the trick.
Unlike my previous bottles, this had a slight hint of reductiveness that never fully blew off with air. However, there was still beautiful red fruit coming out - cherries, strawberries - and floral notes. However, what really worked for my Bordeaux friends was the 'stuffing': don't let the elegance fool you, Stella is a big wine, great structure and finish with a lot of acidity to back it up.
After having the (very pleasant) chance to wrap my head around this wine more properly, I think a longer slow-ox followed by slow enjoyment to see its evolution is probably the best way of drinking this. However, if you don't have the luxury of doing so, then don't hesitate to decant it or at least double decant it to give it some proper air.
The 2006 is in a good spot right now overall, will keep for a few years but unsure if there is any further upside. Would encourage drinking, and being merry with this beautiful Brunello!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Good, but by this point there was too much wine in my system to rate properly. Stella is always a treat though, and this was a great way of finishing up the xmas line-up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at the Victuals in HK. Decanted immediately upon opening, but enjoyed fairly quickly after.
This was better performing than the bottle I had from the same place the week before. More fresh, and the fruit was more readily forward. An absolutely gorgeous BdM that balances red fruit and floral notes with great structure and acidity - and a hint of Stella magic just adds that effortless quality on the palate.
As with my previous note, I'd drink up if you're lucky enough to have these. That being said, if you find a good bottle, these are wonderful, and was very happy to share with friends.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at the Victuals in HK. Decanted immediately upon opening, but enjoyed fairly quickly after.
Though this was slightly closed at the start, with enough air this became really enjoyable: gorgeous red fruits, cherries and floral notes coming, backed by great structure. Could definitely tell the Stella class coming out after 30 minutes in the decanter.
My only nitpicks were that we drank it too quickly nonetheless, and that it did feel like this bottle was not in perfect shape. Some of the freshness was giving away to more tertiary notes, which is not what I personally look for in my BdMs. I had another bottle from the same source a week later and that performed even better, so probably just bottle variation.
I don't think there's too much upside here, I'd drink up if you are lucky enough to have them. That being said, it's always a pleasure to drink Stella and was very happy to share with friends at the end of a great night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Well it must be a typo that auction value for this wine is near $300 for a 750. I mean it’s a fine wine, old style with plenty of tertiary flavors of saddle leather, mushroom and dried cherry, the nose is sous bois, thyme and licorice, but it dries up pretty quickly on the palate and doesn’t finish overly great, it’s maybe a bit on the sour side. I mean 91, but $300?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was basically ready to go right out of the bottle. So elegant and weightless! Loaded with silky & polished red fruit, bright acidity and beautiful aromatics. So pretty!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Magnum. Incredible mature Brunello squarely in the Burgundian style that I love with silky, weightless fruit and layered with earth, some smoke and spice. At peak with plenty of length and intensity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet-crimson, opaque; prunes, black cherries, raspberries, black licorice, tar, soil; plummy, cherry, blackberry, glycerin, full body, silky acidity, good structure, excellent balance, long finish Decanted 2 hrs. Fragrant, silky mouthfeel, ripe fruit flavours and earthy secondary notes. Good balance with high quality fruit. Drinking well now. WOTY.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Acid and sour cherry. Absolutely no easy sweetness here. Pretty austere. Still young perhaps, but I am not sure the acid will ever truly calm down. Tasting younger than it's 17 years. Needs food - and in the right context no doubt excellent. I would wait - there is enough ripe fruit. Our only bottle, bought on release, when prices were more reasonable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sangiovese study, Volume II (Chicago, IL): This got very little air, which was the recommendation from the estate. That was a good call, as this already showed a fair bit of maturity and browning fruit. Like the 1997 Pergole Torte, food helped to moderate some of those muddied/mature notes, but in the context of some other excellent bottles of Stella di Campalto tonight, it was pretty clear this was an underperformer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sitting here with a glass of the 2006 after one hell of a tasting - every Brunello Stella released between 2005 and 2015.
While the tasting was impressive due to the consistency of the wines, certain vintages stood out, and the classic cut of the 2006 was one that did. This still has time in front of it, but at 15+ years it’s also showing well. Sour cherry fruit on the palate, decent acidity and a good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic example of more time yielding an evolving experience. Lovely lavender nose. Crisp clean and colourful in the glass. A spicy bomb! Plenty of tannins remain. Many years left for this. Fruit notes r muted but I believe this is a great wine. Happy 2023!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Mainly Bordeaux at Victuals: Haven't had an old Stella before so took this off the list to try. More rustic and traditional with a greater emphasis on black fruit than newer vintages. Thought this lacked a little finesse but that eventually came with time in the bottle. Well-made old-school Brunello but recent efforts are better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Smooth and silky, with a roundness and sweetness which made me think of residual sugar. At the same time one could feel the oak also on the palate giving a certain roughness to the tannins. Oaky nose too. It didn't work for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As good as the Poggio di Sotto was, this was more complex. Beautiful, with accents of balsamic, earth and pine. Two top notch examples of Brunello.
For my tastes, it just doesn’t get much better than wines of these caliber and good Italian food - in this case pappardelle and wild local mushrooms. An excellent pairing tonight. Thanks to Bob H for bringing these.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: dark red/garnet. Viscous legs Nose: medium/full intensity. Very complex aromas of fresh and dried dark fruits and berries. Powerful cherry and raspberry aromas with herbal and even floral notes Body/flavor: full body. Complex flavors of fresh berries and dark stone fruits. Agree about structure -- excellent acid balance with noticeable tannins. Evolved in the glass... challenging not to drink it all at once! Aftertaste: lingering
Saved a portion to drink today! Will add to comments. Will hold off drinking last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was exceptional. I have been drinking well recently! Such pure red fruit - cherries and strawberries. A beguiling nose! Subtle savouriness and great acid - it was like drinking silk. But there was this bite of tannin (unobtrusive, but definitely there) that lets you know that this will go on for at least a couple of decades and probably longer. A wow wine from a great producer on the up!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking great right now. A member years ago on the Parker Board used to say that 15 years after the vintage was a real sweet spot for Brunello, and after having a glass from this bottle, I certainly wouldn't argue that point.
Really spreads out on the palate, with lively acidity and good persistence. A little bit of funk on the nose for some additional interest/complexity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was fantastic. Drank with homemade pasta with porcini mushroom cream sauce. Some tannins on opening melted quickly and beautiful floral/red fruit palate with exceptional length and nose. Sour cherries on finish exceptional. Getting better by the hour, wish I had bought more. Likely this will get even better for some time but hard to resist at the moment..... .
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Terrific showing. Light body but terrific nose of flowers, cherry and res fruit. Long finish with great mouthfeel. This really is a Burgundian Brunello. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I see this is my 4th note on this bottle this year - I'm going to have to hide some so I keep my hands off them.
Ripe red fruits on the palate - delicious! But while this is drinking great, there seems to be the potential for increased complexity & development with further time in the bottle (hence my desire to "lose" a couple bottles in the cellar!).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really elegant, perfectly balanced Brunello with an impeccable balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. Really no sign of tertiary characteristics at this point, it’s still a relatively youthful wine, but the balance is such that it drinks well now (and should do so indefinitely). Dark cherry, slightly bitter herbs, leather, soy and cedar. Long, tart saliva-inducing finish. Tannin is noticeable but very well checked by fruit and tartness. Probably one of the best 4-5 2006s I’ve tried, though I haven’t yet tried some of the obvious comparison wines such as Cerbaiona or Salvioni....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2nd time trying this wine in a couple weeks, and as is often the case, I'm not in love with it as much today as I was the last time I tried it. There is a touch of acerbity on the finish that I'm finding somewhat distracting. Still has a lovely nose, though - maybe it will come together with dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oh my, gorgeous on the palate. Seemingly a larger scaled wine than the '09 I just tried, yet still precisely balanced and focused on the palate. Delicious really doesn't do this wine justice - let me simply say that I am very glad I have more!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking beautifully now but could be even better in a few years maybe. Decanted 2 hrs. Medium/dark ruby with beginnings of clear rim. Luxurious nose of strawberry/cherry, allspice, violets. A singed wood element and maybe some leather. Not sure I would have pegged this as Brunello had I not known but definitely a very Italian vibe to this. On the palate very strong tannins, solid acidity, strong red berry, balsamic (others found this more prominent than I did, but I can see where they get that, for there is a syrupy mouthfeel allied with a sweetness and earthy quality to it), spice. The tannins are so strong and the fruit still so big that I think this will still keep for quite a while. Right now, it’s a blast to drink. Great fun. You know it’s good when after the meal when no one is looking as I clean up I am getting the last few drops straight out of the decanter. Over share over. Score : 93-94. Relative to expectations: ++
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
From a bottle I opened earlier today (about five hours ago, but not decanted).
Lovely red-fruited nose, like a ripe cherry liquer.
Poised and balanced on the palate - when I first opened this, the wine displayed a tannic finish, but that ripe fruit has really come to the fore now. A wine that is really in my wheelhouse. At 13 years of age, this is ready for prime time drinking.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double decant then back in the bottle for couple of hours. Medium red color, mushrooms and cherry notes. Lots of sediment. Started off delicious although missing something (couldn’t put my finger on it) and then within a couple of hours started closing up to the point where it was hard to finish the last glass. Definitely better with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Italian Dinner Chez David (David's Place, Mpls): Very dark red color. Drank a glass over an hour. Black cherry liqueur, blackberry, heavily spiced palate, pepper, full bodied and intense, minerals, wood, young, needs a lot of time yet.
My last of 3 btls. Tonight along side Siggy's superb 2001 Cerbaiona (Molinari) BdM this felt a bit richer and lacking lift in comparison. Stand alone I'd likely think more highly of this but Siggy's BdM blew this and every other red tonight off the platform. Decanted for 75 minute then back into the btl where cork was removed upon arrival. Drank about 2 hours later. I need to seek out more Cerbaiona (Molinari) BdM!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
While the underlying components were all good, there was something slightly dirty and grubby about this, both on the nose and the palate. Low level TCA? I hope it's not past its best as I have four more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Expressive notes of black cherries, blackberries, also some dark plum, some meaty notes too, leather. It‘s medium-full bodied, with medium-high acidity and medium+ tannin that is excellent quality. Very good length. Seems a little more polished and finessed next to the Pian dell‘Orino, but also a touch lighter handed at this stage. Probably time to drink now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The Rotating Dinners, II.4: 2006 Brunello (Chicago, IL): Quite similar to my last experience with this producer (a bottle of 2008), I found this quite disappointing, given the reputation. High-toned Sharpie marker on the nose, with red fruit dominating and a hint of brown spice thrown in. The palate seemed reduced to me (though no one else seemed to find that to be the case). A bit heady and hot on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
had with beef and roasties, this is simply stunning wine, i think it's reached it's maturity window but there are still tannins there so there is more to come, very exciting
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
There are signs of progress towards maturity in the beautiful colour of this wine. I suspect that it's in a very good place at the moment, with a nose of intense cherry fruit and burnt wood, and palate of subtle acidity, liquorice, black pepper, bitter cherry and smooth tannin. It's intriguing to think that this kind of complexity can come from one grape. It's so different to good claret and other great reds, but it's a beautiful, beautiful wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
2 hour slo-o. Cellar time has really added depth and elegance to this wine. Gorgeous bouquet, pure fruit, beautiful balance and a lengthy and velvety finish. If this were a blind tasting, I may well have thought it to be Soldera. A wine with soul!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A beautiful dark foxy red. Stunning nose of ripe dark cherries and rose petals. Medium bodied with good fruit concentration, palate coating tannins and fresh acidity. A wine of class and finesse rather than outright power. Crisp and precise, like an origami flower. Only just at the beginning of its drinking window, this will make wonderful old bones. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Seems to be starting to hit it's stride... Still big and bold, but more subtle notes of deep black cherry, pine, and earth. Mixing with nice dusty tannins and good acidity for balance. This seems as if it will go a long time, and get even better, but enjoyable now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
More and more, for me, there a handful of Brunello producers who are heads and shoulders at the head of the pack. There is Stella Campalto, Biondi Santi, Poggio Di Sotto, Piane Dell Orino, Canalicchio di Sopra, a couple others and then, everybody else at a significant step down. There are plenty of well made enjoyable Brunellos but very few that show the fruit purity, finesse and true potential of Brunello like Compalto and my other 4 or 5 favs. Going forward I'm only buying the wines of Biondi Santi, Campalto, Poggio Di Sotto and a couple others. Another great 06 Campalto tonight! Can't wait to try my 2010s!.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Here I found a dark and imposing bouquet with notes of dried cherry, smoke, crushed stone, charred meat and new leather. On the palate, I found glossy (not polished) textures with dark red persistent fruit, hints of plum, grapefruit and Mediterranean herbs. The tension in the glass was impressive, as the ‘06 finished with a long display of minerality, bitter cherry, herbs and youthful tannin. I feel that it’s important to note that Stella refers to the 2006 as her Celine Dion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wow! No idea how people taste french barrique in this bottling. This is young, but absolutely enchanting classic brunello, red fruited and scented with elegant perfume, boasting red cherry, spice, slight tobacco, built on a powerful and acidic frame with great grip and loads of tannins which can still soften with the passage of time. This IS tight, but opens with air and especially on day two it sings! In the league of Poggio Sotto and Cerbaiona. Power and elegance and true to Sangiovese
Very well made, smooth tannins. But it really feels as if the winemaker went heavy on small french barrique: the vanilla/oak taste overwhelms the rest and provides for a somewhat monodimensional wine. Try again in 3 years.
This was brought to an Italian tasting with the Burgundy group - no formal notes. Popped and poured. Big powerful and rather overwhelming but with nice tones of red and dark fruit, tea and savory spices. This is real nice juice but needs 3-5 more years I think.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted to integrate a rush of early vanilla which quickly integrated leading to fresh berry & tobacco aromas. Medium ruby color. As Vinage1949 recently stated, this is "alluring", which is a great descriptor. Tremendous balance with a sexy smooth red fruit profile. Nothing over the top, just sublime. Paid $79 and worth it. Made by a young and determined, newer boutique producer. Only one left and wishing I owned more these. If, this was from France it would be considered to have grand cru level depth. A terrific semi modern interpretation with great Brunello typacity shining through.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine presents a medium body with an alluring nose. This is not an in your face wine but rather a wine that delicately presents tastes of hay, briar bush, mixed with sweet earthy elements. For me-ready to consume.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
At first a heady, plumy, dark, sweet tobacco nose. Mid weight body with sweetish undertones and nice tannins. I can still taste the wine after 30 seconds. A serious wine that doesn't lose its elegance at the same time, well balanced.The color is ruby.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Summer Grilling with a wide assortment of wines (Williamsburg, Brooklyn): Popped and poured a taste, which showed an intense earthy, rustic approach with just a small touch of brett. Threw in the decanter and this blew off, as the fruit emerged to take center stage. On the palate, sour cherry, plum and coffee flavors are rich and well delineated, with a cool herbal quality on the finish. Intense but not weighty. Clearly very good raw materials but I think this wine probably needs a couple years to really strut its stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brunello Tasting (@ Wereldmuseum - Rotterdam, Netherlands): This new star on the Montalcino galaxy has a medium intense translucent ruby core and a pinkish clearing rim. The ripe nose sports medium-plus intense notes of plummy black cherry, grenadine and some wood spice, all on a darker feral foundation. A dollop of VA enhances the sweet elements while time in the glass adds a hint of chocolate.Definitely fullbodied at 14,5% alcohol, its pronounced but ripe tannins further increase intensity of liquorice-laced black cherry and blueberry flavours, while the VA lends an impression of freshly chopped thyme leaves. The firmly medium-plus acidity does a good job of keeping proceedings fresh on the seriously extracted mid-palate, but doesn’t quite have the kick of the previously tastes wines. Otherwise, the mid-palate is positively stuffed and the overall racy character enhances its overall enjoyability. I’ll give 91 points with a two to three point upside to cellaring it for the mid-term.........TN Mike de Lange.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Great wine. Can be opened now but there is plenty of promise for future. Those who like to compare women and wine will find plenty here to talk about - perfume, elegance...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brunello 2006 Horisontal Tasting: Nose: cabbage, cherries, grass but it seems a little closed. Palate: Very charming raspberry fruit with a good balance to it. Lacks some interest and length in the aftertaste. Elegant wine but not really something that impressed me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Powerful, heady truffle overlaid with bramble, dried cherries, graphite, anise, and a subtle olivey brineyness. Finish lingers and adds some anise and Chinese XO pepper. Yum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
5/10/2024 - Scooter McGraw Likes this wine: 93 Points
*Edited, updated*
Burgundian with a stand-out nose of red berries, a bit of baked earth, typical oak of the varietal. On the pleasant side of not being too acidic but I don’t know how long that balance will last - I find that if a Brunello trends acidic it only becomes moreso with age. Kept in Eurocave since release. One of the better 2006’s but I prefer this style generally, so make of that what you will.
A note on price and “value”: I paid approx $85 each for three bottles back when this was released. Which seems fair. I’m dubious that any non-Riserva Brunello is worth much more than $100, generally speaking. The best Brunello, indeed one of the top three wines I’ve ever had was the 2000 Pieve Santa Restituta (Gaja) Brunello di Montalcino Sugarille which was every bit of 98 points. That was about $100 and worth every penny. This? I’d have a hard time spending the going rate of $300+ on other vintages unless more recent vintages are dramatically better. Personally I’d spend that kind of money on a bottle from almost any other major wine region. It simply does not compare favorably to any variety of Super Tuscan, Napa Cab, Bordeaux or Burgundy, etc. in that price range. Just my 2¢.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/27/2024 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
SangioFest, Volume III "It's my favourite spot" (Chicago, IL): I'm gonna make a confession -- I just don't really get the Stella di Campalto hype. They're very pretty wines on the whole, but there's always a lightness on the palate that often feels lacking. Also, these earlier vintages can be a bit inconsistent. Others liked the SdC flight much more than I did; I wasn't a big fan. This bottle showed a distinct balsamic and strawberries volatility that I didn't care for, and there was more of the volatility on the palate for me as well. A darker, less than typical fruit profile, with the fruit coming off cooked rather than fresh.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/28/2023 - oxwombat Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened in Hong Kong. Slow-oxed for 30 mins, then after a quick taste decided to decant.
Fourth bottle in as many weeks, opened in an attempt to lure Bordeaux drinkers away from France. Am happy to report that this Stella did the trick.
Unlike my previous bottles, this had a slight hint of reductiveness that never fully blew off with air. However, there was still beautiful red fruit coming out - cherries, strawberries - and floral notes. However, what really worked for my Bordeaux friends was the 'stuffing': don't let the elegance fool you, Stella is a big wine, great structure and finish with a lot of acidity to back it up.
After having the (very pleasant) chance to wrap my head around this wine more properly, I think a longer slow-ox followed by slow enjoyment to see its evolution is probably the best way of drinking this. However, if you don't have the luxury of doing so, then don't hesitate to decant it or at least double decant it to give it some proper air.
The 2006 is in a good spot right now overall, will keep for a few years but unsure if there is any further upside. Would encourage drinking, and being merry with this beautiful Brunello!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2023 - oxwombat wrote:
Opened in HK. Decanted and enjoyed over time.
Good, but by this point there was too much wine in my system to rate properly. Stella is always a treat though, and this was a great way of finishing up the xmas line-up.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2023 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
A gorgeous bottle (though not quite as good as a magnum earlier this year). So silky and refined.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/15/2023 - oxwombat Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened at the Victuals in HK. Decanted immediately upon opening, but enjoyed fairly quickly after.
This was better performing than the bottle I had from the same place the week before. More fresh, and the fruit was more readily forward. An absolutely gorgeous BdM that balances red fruit and floral notes with great structure and acidity - and a hint of Stella magic just adds that effortless quality on the palate.
As with my previous note, I'd drink up if you're lucky enough to have these. That being said, if you find a good bottle, these are wonderful, and was very happy to share with friends.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2023 - oxwombat Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened at the Victuals in HK. Decanted immediately upon opening, but enjoyed fairly quickly after.
Though this was slightly closed at the start, with enough air this became really enjoyable: gorgeous red fruits, cherries and floral notes coming, backed by great structure. Could definitely tell the Stella class coming out after 30 minutes in the decanter.
My only nitpicks were that we drank it too quickly nonetheless, and that it did feel like this bottle was not in perfect shape. Some of the freshness was giving away to more tertiary notes, which is not what I personally look for in my BdMs. I had another bottle from the same source a week later and that performed even better, so probably just bottle variation.
I don't think there's too much upside here, I'd drink up if you are lucky enough to have them. That being said, it's always a pleasure to drink Stella and was very happy to share with friends at the end of a great night.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/14/2023 - guitarguy wrote: 91 Points
Well it must be a typo that auction value for this wine is near $300 for a 750. I mean it’s a fine wine, old style with plenty of tertiary flavors of saddle leather, mushroom and dried cherry, the nose is sous bois, thyme and licorice, but it dries up pretty quickly on the palate and doesn’t finish overly great, it’s maybe a bit on the sour side. I mean 91, but $300?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/6/2023 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was basically ready to go right out of the bottle. So elegant and weightless! Loaded with silky & polished red fruit, bright acidity and beautiful aromatics. So pretty!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/23/2023 - Nanda wrote: 95 Points
Magnum. Incredible mature Brunello squarely in the Burgundian style that I love with silky, weightless fruit and layered with earth, some smoke and spice. At peak with plenty of length and intensity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2023 - ColinR Likes this wine: 94 Points
Garnet-crimson, opaque; prunes, black cherries, raspberries, black licorice, tar, soil; plummy, cherry, blackberry, glycerin, full body, silky acidity, good structure, excellent balance, long finish
Decanted 2 hrs. Fragrant, silky mouthfeel, ripe fruit flavours and earthy secondary notes. Good balance with high quality fruit. Drinking well now. WOTY.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2023 - MuddyBoots wrote:
Acid and sour cherry. Absolutely no easy sweetness here. Pretty austere. Still young perhaps, but I am not sure the acid will ever truly calm down. Tasting younger than it's 17 years. Needs food - and in the right context no doubt excellent. I would wait - there is enough ripe fruit. Our only bottle, bought on release, when prices were more reasonable.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/20/2023 - acyso wrote: 88 Points
Sangiovese study, Volume II (Chicago, IL): This got very little air, which was the recommendation from the estate. That was a good call, as this already showed a fair bit of maturity and browning fruit. Like the 1997 Pergole Torte, food helped to moderate some of those muddied/mature notes, but in the context of some other excellent bottles of Stella di Campalto tonight, it was pretty clear this was an underperformer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2023 - ovenmitt wrote: 92 Points
Drank with burgundy group as part of Tuscan wine night. Wine of the night for many. I’m a very good place right now. Can age appreciably longer.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/19/2023 - Bob H wrote:
Sitting here with a glass of the 2006 after one hell of a tasting - every Brunello Stella released between 2005 and 2015.
While the tasting was impressive due to the consistency of the wines, certain vintages stood out, and the classic cut of the 2006 was one that did. This still has time in front of it, but at 15+ years it’s also showing well. Sour cherry fruit on the palate, decent acidity and a good finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2023 - Yassine23 Likes this wine:
A real delight, plum and orange peel. Still has a bit of tannin structure, can age but lovely now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2022 - beej Likes this wine:
Classic example of more time yielding an evolving experience.
Lovely lavender nose.
Crisp clean and colourful in the glass.
A spicy bomb!
Plenty of tannins remain.
Many years left for this.
Fruit notes r muted but I believe this is a great wine.
Happy 2023!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2022 - melvinyeowq wrote: 91 Points
Mainly Bordeaux at Victuals: Haven't had an old Stella before so took this off the list to try. More rustic and traditional with a greater emphasis on black fruit than newer vintages. Thought this lacked a little finesse but that eventually came with time in the bottle. Well-made old-school Brunello but recent efforts are better.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2022 - gilrbo wrote:
Smooth and silky, with a roundness and sweetness which made me think of residual sugar. At the same time one could feel the oak also on the palate giving a certain roughness to the tannins. Oaky nose too. It didn't work for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2022 - Outplaying wrote:
As good as the Poggio di Sotto was, this was more complex. Beautiful, with accents of balsamic, earth and pine. Two top notch examples of Brunello.
For my tastes, it just doesn’t get much better than wines of these caliber and good Italian food - in this case pappardelle and wild local mushrooms. An excellent pairing tonight. Thanks to Bob H for bringing these.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2021 - OldwineinVT Likes this wine: 93 Points
Garagiste selection
Color: dark red/garnet. Viscous legs
Nose: medium/full intensity. Very complex aromas of fresh and dried dark fruits and berries. Powerful cherry and raspberry aromas with herbal and even floral notes
Body/flavor: full body. Complex flavors of fresh berries and dark stone fruits. Agree about structure -- excellent acid balance with noticeable tannins. Evolved in the glass... challenging not to drink it all at once!
Aftertaste: lingering
Saved a portion to drink today! Will add to comments. Will hold off drinking last bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2021 - asparagus Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was exceptional. I have been drinking well recently! Such pure red fruit - cherries and strawberries. A beguiling nose! Subtle savouriness and great acid - it was like drinking silk. But there was this bite of tannin (unobtrusive, but definitely there) that lets you know that this will go on for at least a couple of decades and probably longer. A wow wine from a great producer on the up!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2021 - Bob H wrote:
Drinking great right now. A member years ago on the Parker Board used to say that 15 years after the vintage was a real sweet spot for Brunello, and after having a glass from this bottle, I certainly wouldn't argue that point.
Really spreads out on the palate, with lively acidity and good persistence. A little bit of funk on the nose for some additional interest/complexity.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2021 - Soujek Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was fantastic. Drank with homemade pasta with porcini mushroom cream sauce. Some tannins on opening melted quickly and beautiful floral/red fruit palate with exceptional length and nose. Sour cherries on finish exceptional. Getting better by the hour, wish I had bought more. Likely this will get even better for some time but hard to resist at the moment..... .
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/5/2020 - SteelerFan wrote: 94 Points
Terrific showing. Light body but terrific nose of flowers, cherry and res fruit. Long finish with great mouthfeel. This really is a Burgundian Brunello. Delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/15/2020 - Bob H wrote:
I see this is my 4th note on this bottle this year - I'm going to have to hide some so I keep my hands off them.
Ripe red fruits on the palate - delicious! But while this is drinking great, there seems to be the potential for increased complexity & development with further time in the bottle (hence my desire to "lose" a couple bottles in the cellar!).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/20/2020 - Employee500 wrote: 95 Points
Really elegant, perfectly balanced Brunello with an impeccable balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. Really no sign of tertiary characteristics at this point, it’s still a relatively youthful wine, but the balance is such that it drinks well now (and should do so indefinitely). Dark cherry, slightly bitter herbs, leather, soy and cedar. Long, tart saliva-inducing finish. Tannin is noticeable but very well checked by fruit and tartness. Probably one of the best 4-5 2006s I’ve tried, though I haven’t yet tried some of the obvious comparison wines such as Cerbaiona or Salvioni....
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/28/2020 - Bob H wrote:
2nd time trying this wine in a couple weeks, and as is often the case, I'm not in love with it as much today as I was the last time I tried it. There is a touch of acerbity on the finish that I'm finding somewhat distracting. Still has a lovely nose, though - maybe it will come together with dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/13/2020 - Bob H wrote:
Very similar on the nose to the '04 Piaggone.
Oh my, gorgeous on the palate. Seemingly a larger scaled wine than the '09 I just tried, yet still precisely balanced and focused on the palate. Delicious really doesn't do this wine justice - let me simply say that I am very glad I have more!
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/27/2020 - gouldcampbell77 wrote: 91 Points
Good stuff but fully mature. I will be drinking my last bottle soon.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2020 - gouldcampbell77 wrote: 92 Points
delicious Brunello. Dark and smoky with a beautiful rose petal perfume. Rich and quite sweet. Good, but not in the same league as the Salvioni.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/1/2020 - JJYoyo Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully now but could be even better in a few years maybe. Decanted 2 hrs. Medium/dark ruby with beginnings of clear rim. Luxurious nose of strawberry/cherry, allspice, violets. A singed wood element and maybe some leather. Not sure I would have pegged this as Brunello had I not known but definitely a very Italian vibe to this. On the palate very strong tannins, solid acidity, strong red berry, balsamic (others found this more prominent than I did, but I can see where they get that, for there is a syrupy mouthfeel allied with a sweetness and earthy quality to it), spice.
The tannins are so strong and the fruit still so big that I think this will still keep for quite a while. Right now, it’s a blast to drink. Great fun. You know it’s good when after the meal when no one is looking as I clean up I am getting the last few drops straight out of the decanter. Over share over.
Score : 93-94. Relative to expectations: ++
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2020 - Bob H wrote:
From a bottle I opened earlier today (about five hours ago, but not decanted).
Lovely red-fruited nose, like a ripe cherry liquer.
Poised and balanced on the palate - when I first opened this, the wine displayed a tannic finish, but that ripe fruit has really come to the fore now. A wine that is really in my wheelhouse. At 13 years of age, this is ready for prime time drinking.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/20/2020 - EM_MB wrote: 89 Points
Double decant then back in the bottle for couple of hours. Medium red color, mushrooms and cherry notes. Lots of sediment. Started off delicious although missing something (couldn’t put my finger on it) and then within a couple of hours started closing up to the point where it was hard to finish the last glass. Definitely better with food.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/12/2019 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Italian Dinner Chez David (David's Place, Mpls): Very dark red color. Drank a glass over an hour. Black cherry liqueur, blackberry, heavily spiced palate, pepper, full bodied and intense, minerals, wood, young, needs a lot of time yet.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (3)
10/12/2019 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
My last of 3 btls. Tonight along side Siggy's superb 2001 Cerbaiona (Molinari) BdM this felt a bit richer and lacking lift in comparison. Stand alone I'd likely think more highly of this but Siggy's BdM blew this and every other red tonight off the platform. Decanted for 75 minute then back into the btl where cork was removed upon arrival. Drank about 2 hours later. I need to seek out more Cerbaiona (Molinari) BdM!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/22/2019 - Markus IWC wrote: 94 Points
Longlivebrunello tasting, the "La Paulee" of Montalcino, vin 9:
Lagring på 17HL Allier fat.
Stor frukt, kraftfulla tanniner, fin mognad, körsbär, svamp. 94-95p
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2019 - gouldcampbell77 wrote:
While the underlying components were all good, there was something slightly dirty and grubby about this, both on the nose and the palate. Low level TCA? I hope it's not past its best as I have four more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/25/2019 - NostraBacchus Likes this wine: 95 Points
Expressive notes of black cherries, blackberries, also some dark plum, some meaty notes too, leather. It‘s medium-full bodied, with medium-high acidity and medium+ tannin that is excellent quality. Very good length. Seems a little more polished and finessed next to the Pian dell‘Orino, but also a touch lighter handed at this stage. Probably time to drink now.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2018 - ovenmitt wrote: 91 Points
Same as before... definitely more of an international style. Still quite enjoyable.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/14/2018 - guitarguy wrote: 87 Points
Very tight with sour cherry, smoke, saddle and skunk notes. Maybe needs time to open up, but really, I have a hard time seeing this improving.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/11/2018 - GreekWineCollector Likes this wine: 97 Points
Excellent Ageing at a wine refridgerator since 5/2011 and 13 degrees Celsius!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2018 - acyso wrote: 85 Points
The Rotating Dinners, II.4: 2006 Brunello (Chicago, IL): Quite similar to my last experience with this producer (a bottle of 2008), I found this quite disappointing, given the reputation. High-toned Sharpie marker on the nose, with red fruit dominating and a hint of brown spice thrown in. The palate seemed reduced to me (though no one else seemed to find that to be the case). A bit heady and hot on the finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/23/2018 - Hoots Likes this wine: 94 Points
had with beef and roasties, this is simply stunning wine, i think it's reached it's maturity window but there are still tannins there so there is more to come, very exciting
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2018 - thatsbabymakinwine Likes this wine: 95 Points
There are signs of progress towards maturity in the beautiful colour of this wine. I suspect that it's in a very good place at the moment, with a nose of intense cherry fruit and burnt wood, and palate of subtle acidity, liquorice, black pepper, bitter cherry and smooth tannin. It's intriguing to think that this kind of complexity can come from one grape. It's so different to good claret and other great reds, but it's a beautiful, beautiful wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2017 - cardsandwine Likes this wine:
2 hour slo-o. Cellar time has really added depth and elegance to this wine. Gorgeous bouquet, pure fruit, beautiful balance and a lengthy and velvety finish. If this were a blind tasting, I may well have thought it to be Soldera. A wine with soul!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/6/2017 - gouldcampbell77 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A beautiful dark foxy red. Stunning nose of ripe dark cherries and rose petals. Medium bodied with good fruit concentration, palate coating tannins and fresh acidity. A wine of class and finesse rather than outright power. Crisp and precise, like an origami flower. Only just at the beginning of its drinking window, this will make wonderful old bones. Delicious.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/27/2017 - ovenmitt wrote: 93 Points
Seems to be starting to hit it's stride... Still big and bold, but more subtle notes of deep black cherry, pine, and earth. Mixing with nice dusty tannins and good acidity for balance. This seems as if it will go a long time, and get even better, but enjoyable now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/13/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 94 Points
More and more, for me, there a handful of Brunello producers who are heads and shoulders at the head of the pack. There is Stella Campalto, Biondi Santi, Poggio Di Sotto, Piane Dell Orino, Canalicchio di Sopra, a couple others and then, everybody else at a significant step down. There are plenty of well made enjoyable Brunellos but very few that show the fruit purity, finesse and true potential of Brunello like Compalto and my other 4 or 5 favs. Going forward I'm only buying the wines of Biondi Santi, Campalto, Poggio Di Sotto and a couple others. Another great 06 Campalto tonight! Can't wait to try my 2010s!.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/9/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 95 Points
Here I found a dark and imposing bouquet with notes of dried cherry, smoke, crushed stone, charred meat and new leather. On the palate, I found glossy (not polished) textures with dark red persistent fruit, hints of plum, grapefruit and Mediterranean herbs. The tension in the glass was impressive, as the ‘06 finished with a long display of minerality, bitter cherry, herbs and youthful tannin. I feel that it’s important to note that Stella refers to the 2006 as her Celine Dion.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/10/2015 - GFischmann Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2015 - mattias_hansen@hotmail.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wow! No idea how people taste french barrique in this bottling. This is young, but absolutely enchanting classic brunello, red fruited and scented with elegant perfume, boasting red cherry, spice, slight tobacco, built on a powerful and acidic frame with great grip and loads of tannins which can still soften with the passage of time. This IS tight, but opens with air and especially on day two it sings! In the league of Poggio Sotto and Cerbaiona. Power and elegance and true to Sangiovese
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
9/16/2015 - don_quichotte wrote: 90 Points
Very well made, smooth tannins. But it really feels as if the winemaker went heavy on small french barrique: the vanilla/oak taste overwhelms the rest and provides for a somewhat monodimensional wine. Try again in 3 years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
2/12/2015 - ovenmitt wrote: 90 Points
This was brought to an Italian tasting with the Burgundy group - no formal notes. Popped and poured. Big powerful and rather overwhelming but with nice tones of red and dark fruit, tea and savory spices. This is real nice juice but needs 3-5 more years I think.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/30/2014 - Allaboda wrote:
Nice, with clear shining sour cherry fruit, some volatility. Still young, and will wait a few years until th next one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 94 Points
Decanted to integrate a rush of early vanilla which quickly integrated leading to fresh berry & tobacco aromas. Medium ruby color. As Vinage1949 recently stated, this is "alluring", which is a great descriptor. Tremendous balance with a sexy smooth red fruit profile. Nothing over the top, just sublime. Paid $79 and worth it. Made by a young and determined, newer boutique producer. Only one left and wishing I owned more these. If, this was from France it would be considered to have grand cru level depth. A terrific semi modern interpretation with great Brunello typacity shining through.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2014 - vintage1949 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine presents a medium body with an alluring nose. This is not an in your face wine but rather a wine that delicately presents tastes of hay, briar bush, mixed with sweet earthy elements. For me-ready to consume.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/13/2014 - hdchappy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Outstanding drinking, very well and went great with our Italian dinner. Medium body, subdued fruit very smooth with nice polished tannins.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/15/2012 - Chrisw97 wrote: 94 Points
At first a heady, plumy, dark, sweet tobacco nose. Mid weight body with sweetish undertones and nice tannins. I can still taste the wine after 30 seconds. A serious wine that doesn't lose its elegance at the same time, well balanced.The color is ruby.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2012 - troutmonster wrote:
Summer Grilling with a wide assortment of wines (Williamsburg, Brooklyn): Popped and poured a taste, which showed an intense earthy, rustic approach with just a small touch of brett. Threw in the decanter and this blew off, as the fruit emerged to take center stage. On the palate, sour cherry, plum and coffee flavors are rich and well delineated, with a cool herbal quality on the finish. Intense but not weighty. Clearly very good raw materials but I think this wine probably needs a couple years to really strut its stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2012 - cardsandwine Likes this wine:
Fabulous old world Brunello. Decanted for 3+ hours. Still very young and a bit tannic, but great pedigree here. Should be awesome in about 5 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/17/2012 - Barry Rothof wrote: 91 Points
Brunello Tasting (@ Wereldmuseum - Rotterdam, Netherlands): This new star on the Montalcino galaxy has a medium intense translucent ruby core and a pinkish clearing rim. The ripe nose sports medium-plus intense notes of plummy black cherry, grenadine and some wood spice, all on a darker feral foundation. A dollop of VA enhances the sweet elements while time in the glass adds a hint of chocolate.Definitely fullbodied at 14,5% alcohol, its pronounced but ripe tannins further increase intensity of liquorice-laced black cherry and blueberry flavours, while the VA lends an impression of freshly chopped thyme leaves. The firmly medium-plus acidity does a good job of keeping proceedings fresh on the seriously extracted mid-palate, but doesn’t quite have the kick of the previously tastes wines. Otherwise, the mid-palate is positively stuffed and the overall racy character enhances its overall enjoyability. I’ll give 91 points with a two to three point upside to cellaring it for the mid-term.........TN Mike de Lange.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/7/2012 - megropolis wrote:
Great wine. Can be opened now but there is plenty of promise for future. Those who like to compare women and wine will find plenty here to talk about - perfume, elegance...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/11/2011 - canan wrote: 95 Points
Brunello 2006 Horisontal Tasting: Nose: cabbage, cherries, grass but it seems a little closed.
Palate: Very charming raspberry fruit with a good balance to it. Lacks some interest and length in the aftertaste.
Elegant wine but not really something that impressed me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2011 - Jeffkunins wrote: 95 Points
OMG. Sorry, can't resist the acronym.
Powerful, heady truffle overlaid with bramble, dried cherries, graphite, anise, and a subtle olivey brineyness. Finish lingers and adds some anise and Chinese XO pepper. Yum.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment