IL Poggione 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino, (review below) just had to be the choice of wine today; between Spring's arriving with a reminder that Winter can cling even into May in New Hampshire (even the Eastern bluebirds were unusual visitors at the bird-feeders), and the long-haul of tasks that needed attending, ignited a niche for such a fire labeled 'hot' wine this week-end, which I deemed appropriate;-)Those familiar with Brunello wines, know that 'hot' is not always a taste-descriptor befitting Brunello, but it almost always has a spicy finish, a little more heat (14.5% alcohol for this one), almost always is sexy, and always has you coming back for more.
Well, as you can see, walking, climbing the stairs, or just going for a bike-ride was quite difficult this week; so, lets get to the Brunello!IL Poggione 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino, $67.99-$79.99, 95 points, begins winter's death with a sun-burst of fiery red-orange and tapers to a very broad transparent rim.
With the fragrance of earth, black olive, cedar, and black cherry spice, I've already begun to warm up.
I've always been an iconoclast (a person who attacks settled beliefs); you doubt me, but yes I have, and with the drinking of this excellent wine I have gone against Brunello for Dummies' rules number one and two: "( Don't drink) "Younger than ten years." Let breathe for at least two hours.
My first sip melted what ice was left in me; oh, very warm, and like C.S. Lewis' Aslan breathing life back into petrified characters, I too found my feet, then the "rest would follow."
The wine itself is iconoclastic with a near full body, great acidity (perfect for saucy Italian cuisine) and a bold backbone of tannin, the 2007 IL Poggione greeted me with a silky mouth, red and black cherry, woody bourbon, chili-hot spice with black pepper, spearmint and dried herbs, all of which carry onto a very long-lasting and extended finish; I'm glad that I only waited six months, and not ten years to taste-partake of this excellent wine.
I'm sure that over the next two days this wine will evolve, but this is my initial impression.
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It's snowing in Liverpool too, but low 70s in Napa. This wine sounds great for a wintry day, even if it happens to be in spring!
ReplyDeleteVinogirl, this wine is typical of what I prefer in a Brunello, which for some wine tasters has equal ratings, but for others: NOT. One thing is for sure, it is not an 89 point wine! Its power and complexity, its balance and stand-alone quality is impressive. On day two this wine had diminished fruit, but an intensifying heat and spice, yet packed with flavor that maybe only a bourbon would have without being a hard liquor.
DeleteAs with sweet wines, I try to be as fair as I can be, so I will give a Jellybean, for example, an 89 points, not because this is a wine I normally would drink, but having tasted it, found it to be pleasant for what it is, and not for what I want it to be; flavor is the key for me, and if it is the most complex of wines, but does not have the flavor, I'll not buy it again, nor will I recommend it.
IL Poggione 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino has BOOKOO flavor, it might not be yours, but a thick rare grass-fed steak might not be either, but that doesn't mean that for everyone it is bad, unless it is soiled or improperly cooked.
I know this is long winded, but seriously, from vineyard to Manchester, NH comes a remarkable product of considerable weight and effort, of earth, sun, and rain, carefully crafted and yes, even loved, and to (My opinion, I know! Too bad!) off-handily score this wine 89 points just shows that someone is not REALLY familiar with Brunello; you don't compare a work horse with a race horse. This wine is a race horse!
The worst Brunello I've tasted is better than that; am I prejudice? Well, I make every effort to rightly advise NH wine drinkers (family and friends).
What really needs to be asked is, what is the QPR, and no 89 point wine is worth $70, and my advice is not to buy it.
"A wine with roasted meats and dark fruits on the nose and palate. Full body, with soft and velvety tannins and a juicy and fruity aftertaste. So delicious and seductive. Drink now or hold...94" JamesSuckling.com
DeleteSomeone reviewed this at 89 points? If that's the case, I'd suggest they don't understand Brunello. Il Poggione is about as fine as it gets - and their Rosso is so good that it surpasses others Brunello. The only complaint warranted is the price vis a vis other Brunello.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good Dennis, even if the Tulips are covered with snow. My version of the phrase is: you free your mind, your ass will follow! :)
Saluti
Thanks John, you sure made me laugh:-)
DeleteOh, someone (CT) actually scored it 87 points! I had to scratch my head. Quantifying the quality of wine finds a trend in reviewers, and I think you can almost guess a RP or a JS review, because they have learned what it means to be consistent.
John, I'd almost rather see a review that has a bit of "grace" to it, than a review where one seeks to be cool by almost condemning a quality wine; can you see what would happen if a JS or a RP would give a Summus 89 points?