Palazzo 2006 Brunello di Montalcino, $69.99, 93 points, is a deep garnet color, with a massive bouquet of flowers, earth, and cinnamon, the texture is medium bodied with considerable glycerol, lip-smacking acidity and powerful tannin, the flavors are layered and complex, with floral plum and red cherry, with a palpably persistent finish of eucalyptus and menthol on a bed of spice.
This wine cut through our pepper-cheddar-burgers like a hot knife through. . .
If you are interested in this kind of wine, I should tell you that all the advice I've seen is that this wine is best from 2014-2025, but the reviewers had to taste this Brunello, and I couldn't resist.
I forgot to mention that this wine is 14.5% alcohol, which is a bit more than a typical Sangiovese wine, and you might have noticed that you enjoyed this Brunello way more as well.
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Copyright 2011 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved
When I first saw Palazzo, I thought you were talking about the one out of Napa -- who makes KILLER reds, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThe '06 vintage as a whole was a great one for Brunellos, & I fully support your decision to drink this now. I know someone who has Barolos that he "has to" will to his young children because they're not ready, according to him. I say "What's the point of that??" - I mean, his kids might not even like wine. Anyway, I digress...Sangiovese is a beautiful grape, & while I tend to go for Chianti or just Sangiovese in general, I do love a good Brunello when I can afford it or it's given to me.
Come to think of it, it's been a while...but at least I get to taste one occasionally at work.
Claire, since I have no other hobby at this time, I do make a financial sacrifice to explore the wine world; as I was told when I first began to taste wine: "The only way to know wine is to drink it."
ReplyDeleteClaire, I have a few Sangiovese wines from Cali., but haven't had a chance to try them. . .soon, but I've been told they're not up to the Italian wines; I suppose to compare them is unfair considering how long the Italians have had to perfect them.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, they are completely different. Old world winemaking is different than New, & the terroir, etc., is as well. It's almost like comparing apples to oranges. Almost.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of CA Sangiovese. I recently shared a bottle from Pianetta with my boss. When I taste it, I can almost always tell it's not from Italy. Unless I'm doing some side-by-side comparison, I don't bother to hold them up against each other. I suppose I'm not critical enough. I just want to enjoy the wine.
Claire said: "I just want to enjoy the wine." I think that's the ideal attitude. I know I like a wine a lot, when on the second day I can't wait to get home from work and have it with my supper, or when the bottle just seems to get empty on its own.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree. Wine is meant to be enjoyed. No sense in waiting until the 'ideal moment' sometimes, live for today! Great review Den, although maybe a bit too expensive for my budget at the moment.
ReplyDeleteBen, too expensive for me too! So what the utilities is shutting of the electric (;-/ Not!
ReplyDelete