1999 Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

This was decanted for sediment and then drink over a few hours. This was drunk side by side with the 2012 Riserva which was interesting and fun. This is a deep ruby with some purple at the core in color. Darker than the 2012. It seems to at peak right now. Not showing old age but certainly mature, tannins resolved and getting close to sliding downhill. The nose is earthy with damp tea leaves, cherries and just a hint of sandalwood. Complex and layered with funk, forest floor and cherries. Very good acidity. Worked very well with food. Nice finish. This was probably never an amazing wine, but it is outstanding and about as good as it can be. No point holding these at this point but no hurry either.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

1999

Brunello: An Italian Wine Scandal Ferments in Montalcino

In a previous article, we examined Brunello’s 100 plus year history . In Italian wine expressions, that is a relatively short period. Nevertheless, Brunello has established itself as one of the premium wines, not only in Tuscany, but also in the entire world. Brunello di Montalcino has an even more brief history in Italy’s wine regulations. Brunello did not become a DOC until 1966 and has only been a DOCG since 1986. Brunello’s DOCG regulations require that 100% Sangiovese grapes be used. The wines are then aged for a minimum of 4 years (5 years for the Riserva). Traditionally, Brunello required a minimum of three years ageing in wood barrels. That has now been relaxed to two years ageing in wood. In addition, four months must be in bottle (six for the Riservas). The finished wine cannot be released for sale until January 1st of the year five years from vintage year. For example, the 2003 Brunello’s could not be released until January of 2008. Geographically, there is a strictly identified zone surrounding the town of Montalcino, in which the Sangiovese grapes used to make Brunello must be grown and the wines must be bottled. So what type of experience should a good Brunello provide? This simple question is controversial at the moment. Traditionally, Brunello, like other Sangiovese wines, is a pale ruby color. The wine is transparent in the glass with lovely perfumed aromas of cherries and floral notes. It has a powerful elegance about it.

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2012 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Ferrovia, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Pop and pour, this was pretty tight, so the wine was decanted which helped. Still, it probably needs five more years but has a couple of decades of life left. Drank side by side with the regular 1999 version of this wine. Ruby in color with some purple, lighter than the 99. The wine in general, however, is a much bigger wine. The nose is gorgeous with cherries, black cherries, sandalwood and dry Earl Grey tea. On the palate, this is tightly wound, but it already shows great layering and complexity. A wonderful texture; slippery yet bold if that makes sense. Great acidity. Long fini

2019 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Rosso di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$30.00USD

Great showing for this wine. Ruby/purple in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, slight black cherries, tea leaves, sandalwood and dust. Firm tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, sour cherries with some fresh cherries and underlying forest floor. Nice finish. This is still young and may improve with further cellaring. Drink over the next ten to fifteen years. Probably better with food. Tordelli Versiliesi or other pasta dishes would be great.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

Some of the great wines in Italy, and the world, hail from Tuscany. Other articles have discussed Super Tuscans , and some of the great wines based on the Sangiovese grape including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino . In this article, another great Sangiovese based wine is explored: Vin Nobile di Montepulciano. The name of this wine can be confusing. Long ago these wines became the chosen wine of nobility hence the Nobile part of the name.

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Great Italian Wines: Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany

There really is little question as to what the two most famous and prestigious wines from Italy are: Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino. That is not to say they are the best wines, but that they have a history of being some of the best wines exported from Italy. The next series of articles will examine Brunellos (for a review on Barolo see the previously posted three part series on this site ). Brunello di Montalcino is a wine made from grapes grown in vineyards surrounding the hilltop town of Montalcino (about 5 miles south of Sienna) in Tuscany.

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1999 Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

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