2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

In later vintages, this carries the Gran Selezione designation. This is one of, if not the top Chianti. It is better than most Brunellos. Of course, it costs more than most Brunellos too. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. What a great nose. A bit smokey with cherries, macerated cherries, some forest floor/tea leaves and slight spice. Still tight and tannic on the palate. It opens in the glass to show cherries, spice and black cherries. This needs time for sure, maybe another three to five and it will be good for a decade or maybe two after that. This is a great wine that can equal wines at three times the price. If you can still find it, buy a bottle or two and lay it down. If not, then look for the 2013.

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2010

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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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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2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

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Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$90.00USD

One of my evil guilty pleasures is to put this on the table with non wine geeks and see if they drink it. Usually, they don't, but the ones who do are impressed. Some will just see that it is a Chianti and think it can't be any good. This is possibly the best that Chianti offers and certainly one of the top wines that Italy offers. Although expensive, given that, it is priced fairly. At age 10, this is still young and needs more air though with a few hours, it drank well. Deep garnet with purple streaks, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with black cherries, cherries, black

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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1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo

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A+

OMG. This bottle was opened about 3 hours prior to drinking and decanted about 20 minutes prior (mostly for sediment). I was just blown away. I thought it would be good, even great, but it was amazing. Purple/ruby in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is awesome. Deep with plums, dark cherries, iodine, slight sandalwood and spice, lush earthiness with lush forest floor notes. On the palate, this is fresh and vibrant. Complex, layered and deep. Dark cherries, earthiness, forest floor notes, slight tea with just a slight drying tannin (in a good way). Great acidity. Worked perfectly

2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

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Great Italian Wines: Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany

Brunello: An Italian Wine Scandal Ferments in Montalcino

2010 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – Another Great Sangiovese Wine from Tuscany

1997 Fontodi Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo