Ciacci Piccolomini d' ARAGONA 2005 Brunello di Montalcino $39.09-$45.99, 94 points, is first and foremost a very delicious dry red wine. John from Tuscan Vines remembers this wine as "rustic", which is a rather difficult descriptor to pin-down, but Doc-vino gives it a try. If by rustic John means accessible, the Ciacci Piccolomini d' ARAGONA 2005 Brunello di Montalcino is all of that, and I would say this wine has no rough edges. Ciacci Piccolomini d' ARAGONA 2005 Brunello di Montalcino reminds me of Moroccan leather, is balanced and beautiful, but not overly complex and not a particularly "cerebral" wine.
Garnet to cranberry in color throughout, and having a cold aroma of chocolate pudding with hints of java, being followed with a pure delight of flavors including all within its aroma and mild lingonberry jam as well. The meduim body carries a long finish of spice (Ethan says: Chipotle and Cardamon).
This wine enhanced my Neapolitan pizza, and my Philly cheese-steak sub, but the chocolate pairing (Milk and Dark) is out of this world.
At $39.09, I consider this to be a Very Good Buy.
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I had this a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I had it at a tasting that the importer was hosting for some of the members of our wine club. I think I wrote it up for our work newsletter, but for some reason it didn't make my personal blog.
ReplyDeleteBut I know I liked it because I bought a bottle. I wish I had bought more than just one. Glad you enjoyed it. I seem to remember this as being somewhat "international" in style. Probably why I liked it so much.
Bill, thanks for your comments. I was pleased that $39.09 bought a quality Brunello since often they are $50-$80. Now I understand that this is not an everyday wine, but if you're a Chianti lover, this is a special treat.
DeleteHi Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI'm always glad to see you hard at work serving up useful and excellent tasting notes with scores. Brunello is one of my favorite Italian wines and I'm quite fond of a number of Tuscany's IGTs as well. This particular strain of Sangiovese can truly do wonderful things from the vineyards around the little town of Montalcino.
I personally would describe rustic wines as having an unpolished but possibly charming character that often includes a bit of brettanomyces. Old world wines such as those from France and Italy seem to have a propensity to be rustic (think of CDP five years ago) compared to the new world wines. Many people, myself included, would rather enjoy wine with character than homogenized wine devoid of anything that would distinguish it from another wine. I'm glad you liked this wine and although I have a number of great Italian wines, your post makes me want to look for this wine because as you wrote, it really seems to be a great value .
I hope all is well with you Dennis and look forward to visiting your blog again soon.
Best regards,
David Boyer
classof1855.com
David, and I trust all is well! Your three part interview with Susan Thomas was elegant David Boyer's classof1855.com.
DeleteBeautiful how you say so much with few words. Would you say that Châteauneuf du Pape bottled before 2007 may be "rustic"?
Knowing as you do that my palate is easily over-whelmed, my concern is that I was not emphatic enough with the "not complex" part of this post. So if you do find this wine, as with anyone else, I hope you get the opportunity to let us know what you think.
Looking forward to your next interview,
Dennis
A $40 pizza wine-- that's beautiful. Party at your house, Dude!
ReplyDeleteCheese-steaks? In NH? That's heresy! (sorry, I grew up near Philly, so when it comes to Cheese-steaks, there is only one place...)
I have not tried this one yet, but worth seeking out, while I sip my humble Achaval Ferrer Malbes tonight...
Sybarite: it is a pity (Pizza-Cheese-steak)! John from Tuscan Vines was kind to forgo the provincial descriptor, but all in good fun, as is your blog.
DeleteBy the way both Tuscan Vines and http://ugawino.blogspot.com have great cooking ideas. I rarely have the talent or the time to whip-up such culinary delights.
Gents,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, excellent write up. I have to admit, with so much excellent 2006 Brunello available, I haven't bought a single bottle of 2005. And I've also never tried Brunello with chocolate, that's a new one on me.
When I say "rustic" I'm typically referring to wine that's got a significant earthy component, old leather, warm clay, maybe some leaves and mushrooms. The opposite is something I would call "polished". I don't think of Ciacci as international at all. In fact, Ciacci is located in the southeast corner of the Brunello zone, near to other traditional producers such as Lisini, and Il Poggione. I discovered that I did buy a bottle of the 2006 to report on, so I will do that tonight and get reaquainted with them - it's been a while.
As for cheesesteak - I'm sure it would work with real meat and proper cheese. Maybe not the stuff that passes for meat, cheeze whiz and extra grease like you get in Philly. :) And Dennis...Brunello is not $50-$80. Of all the 2006's I've posted on this year, I bet most were sub $50 and I can only think of 1 that was near $80. Riservas are that high, but prices have dropped to what I consider reasonable for the type. As I agree, not an everyday proposition, but clearly worth setting some away.
J
Gents,
DeleteI think JFO's throwing down the gauntlet here and challenging us to an on-line taste-off. Perhaps we should all pop a cork on one of these sometime in the near future and see how we define terms like "rustic," "polished" and "international."
I'll probably choose something other than cheesesteak for dinner that night if okay with everyone.....
That sounds like fun! Let me check availability on the 2006. If needed, I'd be willing to pick them up and send them out if you all have trouble finding it. One thing I'll mention, is that Ciacci started making the wine Dennis tasted apart from their "Pianrosso" bottling. I don't recall this being the case. So when you look for it, check the label. The "Pianrosso" will be in little red letters and typically $10-$15 more than the "normale" bottling.
DeleteJohn, thanks for clarifying your thoughts on "Rustic". As you describe it, it make me think of some French wines I've tasted, and in moderation is very nice, but if it's "over done", it's too much for my immature palate, but what's fun here (Thanks guys)is I feel like I've gained some "big brothers" guiding my proverbial hands. I think David Boyer has a post that deals with wine mentoring that has become quite big in Austin; sounds very koool to me!
DeleteGreat review Dennis. Glad you enjoyed this one with the chocolate! Having Lingonberry notes means this wine would pair well with a plethora of Swedish dishes. Will have to keep an eye out, for sure.
ReplyDeleteOK gang, I do in fact have a bottle of the 2006 Ciacci Normale. There is tons left at retail for $39. If you want to do that together, count me in. The 2005 is also available, for $32. (both before taxes) Let me know what you prefer - I stand at the ready.
DeleteJ
Ben, let us know if you do find and taste either th '06 or if you can only find the'05.
DeleteAlso, I would guess that this Brunello will taste good with Eggs Benedict and Asparagus;-)
Dennis, wasn't able to find either through 'System Bolaget' in Sweden. But have found some other similar ones which I'll try instead :)
DeleteWell, I'll be interested to see what you come up with.
DeleteWell, heck, I just looked in the cellar and I have a bottle of '04. (I'm guessing that's the vintage I tasted a while back, too.)
ReplyDeleteLet me see which vintage is available here locally and I'll get back with you.
Shipping to my house is a pretty bad option as I work a couple days a week and I'm a solid hour from the UPS distribution warehouse if I miss the truck.
Gents,
ReplyDeletegive me a little time to see if I can ferret-out the 2006, and since I've already had and did enjoy the 2005, that one's in the bag. As for what one tastes verses another, I can only give my opinion (Chocolate pudding with its chalkiness is what I got).
John, you are so gracious, but don't send me a bottle. The average price (including taxes) of the Brunelo wines I've reviewed is $41.85, and the 06s I've been eyeing are way more than that; that is why I'm waiting for Italian month in NH.
I do have a Il Poggione 2006 Brunello di Montalcino that I had to pay $67.99 (including taxes)to get my hands on, and that was $12.00 off.
Now, what happened to the age of Aquarius?
"Now, what happened to the age of Aquarius?"
DeleteHmm...it's on my iPod. :)