Because of the “scandal” and “press” involving Montalcino my tasting group in October had a Montalcino Tasting. It included “Baby Brunellos”, Brunellos, an “international” red from Montalcino (Shiraz) and a delicious Dessert or after-dinner wine.
Castello Banfi 2006 Rosso di MontalcinoClear and brilliant, dark ruby color. Nice black and red fruit on the nose. Good balance and subtle use of oak. Very elegant, smooth and soft, a little light in structure. Definitely made in the “international”, “New World-ish” style. (15.5 avg score 14.5) $18
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2006 Rosso di MontalcinoClear and brilliant ruby red color. Subtle on the nose with a lot more of a bouquet dominated nose and palate (cinnamon, spice and hint of vanilla) with just a touch of red and black fruit. To me the wine was more “Old-World-ish” in style. (16.5 avg score 15.3) $23
Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino Vedemmia 2006Clear and brilliant ruby red color. Big nose, but not as big as Castello Banfi’s Rosso di Montalcino. Wine at first seemed slightly disjointed, out of balance somewhat. But with additional time in the glass and swirling it did seem to come together somewhat. The wine might need some more bottle aging (14 avg score 14.9) $25
Angelo Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino Pertimali 2001Clear and brilliant in color, much deeper and richer red in color than the “baby” Brunellos. Earthy tones, raisins, with a hint of red and black fruit and leather. Pleasant and lingering aftertaste. Definitely red wine of the evening (17 avg score 15.9) $38
Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2001Clear and brilliant dark red color with a slightly red brick color at the edges. Initially I picked up something “funky” on the nose, which “blew off”. The wine is nicely structured and balanced. Full-bodied wine with nice richness. The finish is fairly long and pleasant. (15.5 avg score 15.2) $45
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 1997 Slightly brown on the edges (possible because of its age) but still clear and brilliant in appearance. Very nice nose with subtle red and black fruit with some spice and vanilla still lurking about. Still seems to be holding up nicely with good acid, tannin and fruit balance with some complexity still coming around. Pleasant and lingering aftertaste. (14.5 avg score 15.6) $56
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2005 Fabivs100% Syrah, 14.5 % alcohol by volume
Clear and brilliant dark red color. Found it to be a “typical New-World-ish” or “international” Syrah or Shiraz, fruity, spicy and “veggie”. (13 avg score 15.5) $44
Castello Banfi 2006 Florus Moscadello di MontalcinoClear and brilliant rich bright golden color. Honey, nutty, dried fruit (Figgie) candied tropical fruit and floral notes on both the nose and palate. Nicely concentrated with good balance and structure. Nice acidity. Pleasant and lingering aftertaste. (15, avg score 16.
$17
Salute
