Classic grape of Chianti and other great Tuscan wine, sangiovese has tart berry-cherry flavors with notes of herbs, spice, and damp earth. Marked more by crisp acidity than big, chewy tannins, sangiovese is nonetheless considered a classically structured grape variety. Found mainly in Chianti, but also the basis for other important Italian wines. Brunello di Montalcino is a specific clone of sangiovese, the variety called Brunello. Successful in Argentina, but California has not yet gotten the knack.
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a gracious, classy wine. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are just some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from this mid-weight, restrained Brunello. In 2006 Altesino's Brunello impresses for its balance, freshness and finessed tannins. It isn't a blockbuster, but it will drink well upon release and over the next decade or so, perhaps longer. Floral notes waft from the glass on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
A Leonardo Lo Casio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino is a gracious, classy wine. Sweet red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are just some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from this mid-weight, restrained Brunello. In 2006 Altesino's Brunello impresses for its balance, freshness and finessed tannins. It isn't a blockbuster, but it will drink well upon release and over the next decade or so, perhaps longer. Floral notes waft from the glass on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. -- Antonio Galloni Read More
A dark, masculine, brooding Brunello with savory aromas of leather and cured meat behind ripe fruit and blackberry. It's tight and clean with a streamlined mouthfeel that gives evidence to the wine's firm tannic structure. Executed in a traditional style and shows possibility for long cellar aging.
Rosso di Altesino has a vibrant ruby red color and inviting aromas of ripe berries and forests. Inviting, fragrant, incredibly supple, with excellent body and balanced structure, Rosso di Altesino is an excellent value―a perfect choice for pasta, Alfredo sauces, polenta, white meats and semi-soft cheeses.
A fluid and supple red, yet offers grainy tannins to support cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. On the slimmer side, yet balanced. Best from 2013 through 2019. 15,000 cases imported.
Ruby red color with an intense bouquet of cherry and raspberry fruits, along with hints of violet and tobacco. Smooth and well-structured on the palate with delicious tannins and a persistent finish.
The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is rich, deep and resonant. It shows fabulous depth and richness, with seemingly endless layers of fruit that caress the palate. Dark red cherries, savory herbs, tobacco and licorice linger on the textured, creamy finish. This is another terrific effort from Argiano. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2027.
Fragrant black fruit and oak on the nose. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a clean, fruit and vanilla finish. Nicely balanced. Best after 2009. 5,900 cases made. –JS
"The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino bursts from the glass with a textured fabric of dark red berries, licorice, spices, tobacco and leather. Layers of fruit continue to build as the wine blossoms in every direction. Flowers, spices and leather reappear on the silky finish. The Brunello was aged in casks and smaller French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. "
The 2010 Rosso di Montalcino flows across the palate with layers of lush, expressive fruit. The wine's minerality comes through on the mid-palate and finish. I very much like the combination of rich fruit and freshness in this lush, textured Rosso. Banfi aged the Rosso in a combination of French oak barrels and casks. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
The 2009 Chianti Classico, 100% Sangiovese, is a gorgeous, deep wine endowed with serious richness. Dark plums, black cherries, licorice, new leather and menthol are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. A firm, structured finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.
The 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva is a very pretty, centered wine. Dark cherries, plums, spices, menthol, cedar, game and tobacco are some of the notes that emerge from the glass. The 2008 is an understated Riserva that impresses for its length, focus and balance. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.
The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino is a gorgeous wine that brings together the richness of the vintage and the house's continuing move to a more traditional style. Sweet red berries, flowers, mint, spices and anise are woven together beautifully in this large-scaled, generous wine. The wine gains volume and depth in the glass as the flavors built to a huge crescendo. The 2007 was aged exclusively in cask. This is a great showing from Fuligni. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.
Brilliant ruby red in color, this wine displays a vibrant nose of cherry, and red berry fruit, interwoven with hints of aromatic herbs, truffles, cardamom, rose petals and new earth. In the mouth, the expression of fruit is an energy-laden progression of red berries, chestnut, and earthy/spicy elements, backed up by rounded tannins, with a perfect pinch of invigorating acidity on the finish. A wine of exceptional elegance and finesse, this wine is a wonderful expression of the world-class terroir of Fattoria dei Barbi. Although completely ready to drink now, it has the potential to improve with short-term cellaring of 12 to 18 months.
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Manapetra shows more depth and textural definition than the straight bottling. This too, is made in a mid-weight style, but it possesses gorgeous inner perfume and sweetness in its fruit. Subtle French oak shapes the generous, caressing finish. The Manapetra comes together nicely with time in the glass, but the wine will be even better in a few years? time. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
The 2009 Chianti Rufina Riserva Nipozzano is very pretty. Veins of minerality support an expressive core of dark red berries in this silky, long Chianti. The 2009 impresses for its persistence and fine overall balance. Ideally, the 2009 is enjoyed while the fruit retains its vibrancy. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.
A deep, ruby red with an intense and persistent fragrance of mature red fruit. It’s a well-structured, smooth wine, with soft tannins and distinct notes of red fruit.
A juicy, rich wine, offering lots of fruit. Full and velvety, with sliced plum and chocolate flavors. A big Chianti Classico. Needs a little time to mellow. Best after 2010. 11,665 cases made. –JS
Color: Bright ruby red. Bouquet: Intense, mature fruit aromas. Taste: Rich, well structured, berry fruit flavors. Serving Suggestions: This wine is particularly well suited to meat and first courses.