With the greatly anticipated arrival of the newest releases from Montalcino, everyone is anxious to see how they compare to the two previous vintages. The vintages of 2006 and 2007 were hailed as two of the best in a decade, and back-to-back marked a succession that almost never happens. The following article was published on Wine Enthusiast's website, written by their Italian Editor, Monica Larner. Scroll down to find that all three of Vinifera's Montalcino producers faired very well in comparison to the competition.
From WineMag.com...
2008 Brunello di Montalcino: A 90-Point Vintage
Wine Enthusiast’s Italian Editor, Monica Larner, tastes more than 250 of the highly anticipated Tuscan bottlings.
Published on Jan 31, 2013
BY MONICA LARNER
The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino—arguably Italy’s favorite wine—has just hit the market, and producers of this celebrated Tuscan appellation are presenting these anticipated bottlings at Benvenuto Brunello—an event taking place on January 31 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Follow-up tastings will occur in Italy next month.
So will the new vintage be as well received as the soft, rich wines of 2007 and the elegant, refined wines of 2006?
As Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Italian Editor—I was one of the first to taste these new wines just shortly after their official release date on January 1. I rate the 2008 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino 90 points out of 100.
Austerity—an overused word in the corridors of European government and finance agencies these days—happens to perfectly describe these wines. The 2008 summer was cool and moderate in temperature, and there were hailstorms and showers at certain locations on the southern side of the appellation just before harvest, resulting in wines with high acidity and bright berry tones.
“The 2008 wines are austere,” says Giancarlo Pacenti, vice president of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino and a Brunello producer. “Sangiovese is a variety that shows naturally high acidity, so the challenge in a vintage like this is keeping that freshness in check.”
Indeed, some wines do show a nervous vein of sharp acidity, but they are well balanced by plump, ripe fruit tones of cherry and blackberry.
“Acidity can be a determining factor in the longevity of a Brunello,” says vintner Donatella Cinelli Colombini. “The key, however, is finding wines that show balance and harmony in the manner that acidity is delivered.”
The Consorzio seems to think the 2008 shows that balance, scoring the vintage four out of five stars. The 2006 and 2007 vintages both received five stars from the Consorzio, and I awarded them 93 points and 95 points, respectively.
Be sure to check out more than 250 Brunello reviews in the May 2013 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, or visit the Buying Guide on April 1. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak of my top Brunello and Riserva Brunello picks.
2008 Brunello di Montalcino
94 Uccelliera 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. Cellar Selection. abv: NA Price: NA
93 Casanova di Neri 2008 Tenuta Nuova (Brunello di Montalcino). Dalla Terra Winery Direct.
abv: 15% Price: $80
93 Cupano 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Verdeor Select Vintages. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14.5% Price: $130
93 Siro Pacenti 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Michael Skurnik Wines. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14.5% Price: $85
92 Altesino 2008 Montosoli (Brunello di Montalcino). Winebow.
abv: 14% Price: $100
92 Castello Romitorio 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Vinifera Imports.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
92 Fanti 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Massanois Imports.
abv: 14.5% Price: $70
91 Le Gode 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Superior Wines LLC.
abv: 14.5% Price: $50
91 Valdicava 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Vinifera Imports. Cellar Selection.
abv: 13.5% Price: NA
2007 Riserva Brunello di Montalcino
98 Capanna 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Masciarelli Wine Co. Cellar Selection.
abv: 15% Price: $70
98 Valdicava 2007 Madonna del Piano Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Vinifera Imports. Cellar Selection. abv: 14% Price: NA
96 Padelletti 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Holiday Beverage. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14.5% Price: $100
95 Castello Banfi 2007 Poggio all'Oro Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Banfi Vintners. Cellar Selection.
abv: 14% Price: $150
94 Canalicchio di Sopra 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Vinifera Imports.
abv: 14.5% Price: $100
94 Castello Romitorio 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Vinifera Imports.
abv: NA Price: NA
93 Marchesi Antinori 2007 Pian delle Vigne Vignaferrovia Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.
abv: 14.5% Price: $125
93 Máté 2007 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino). Vinilandia USA.
abv: 15% Price: $94
As always, if you have any trouble finding the wine you're looking for, please feel free to message me...
Eli
Bibo Ergo Sum
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