2001 Camigliano Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino

 

2001 Camigliano "Gualto" Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino 13.5% ABV, $80

This starts off with a big, masculine nose of dark blackberry fruit that is ripe, but firm and chiseled as well. Added to that is aromatic cedar, some dried flowers, a bit of raisin, and other dried fruits. The palate is solid as well, with firm black cherry, more cedar, and lovely tobacco on the trailing edge. There are pleasant angles to the palate, continuing the masculine character. The finish is long and firm with charred earth, dried black cherry skins and more tobacco. Substantial, and serious, with plenty left in all components to last. 92Pts
Camigliano is located in the south west corner of the Montalcino zone, at a general elevation of approximately 200 meters. Often fruit from lower elevations, such as this, lacks complexity and longevity, but that's not the case here. The "Gualto" has excellent stature and plenty of character; an exception to the rule.

Sangiovese Value List #1 - Under $20

Guest Post on "The Reverse Wine Snob" Blog

Morellino Di Scansano is One of Several Excellent Sourcesof Sangiovese Values

 At the invitation of my buddy, Jon Thorsen (The Reverse Wine Snob), I wrote a post on his blog about Sangiovese wine values. In it I talk about some of the regions where they may be found and I list some recently tasted wines that offer excellent quality for the money. Best of all they're all under $20. So click the link and check out my post, and maybe poke around to see what other values Jon might turn you on to. Happy Hunting!

1999 Cerbaiona Brunello Di Montalcino

1999 Cerbaiona Brunello Di Montalcino 14% ABV, $150

 The nose is a beautiful amalgam of details that presents as one complex impression, later flashing fine components over time in the glass. There is solid (and still youthful) black cherry and black cherry skins, laced with Asian spice and a core of mushroom all forming the foundation, with a layer of dark incense and plenty of dried herbs on top. The palate starts off with a soft texture and then turns to a medium chewiness with solid black fruit coming through again with embellishments of spice and Earth notes. The structure is excellent, with the acidity and tannins well integrated, providing plenty of support, but not standing out individually. There's a oneness about the many parts that make the single personality of this wine. Without a doubt, there are plenty of years left here. Probably not yet approaching its peak. 95 Pts

Cerbaiona comes from Diego Molanari, one of the true traditionalists in Montalcino. The winery is located in the immediate vacinity of the village of Montalcino, at approximately 350 meters elevation. The production is quite low, with the total vineyard being just 3 ha in size. A rare pleasure.

La Fiorita Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino 2006

2006 La Fiorita Riserva Brunello Di Montalcino ABV 14% $90

Decanted for 1 hour. Wonderfully spiced red and black cherry fruit with strawberry notes as well. Notes of fennel, nutmeg, and other dried herbs overlay the fruit, along with dried flowers and dusty aromatic wood.
The palate is pleasantly chewy, with a fine granularity. More sweet spice and dark cherry extract with strawberry preserves and some plum. Quite dense all around, with a pretty layer as well. The structure features juicy acidty and moderate tannins, both playing an important balancing role to the rest of the characteristics. The finish is long and interesting with spice cake and mineral notes.

This riserva walks the line between modern and traditional very well. There is plenty here for everyone: fruit, texture, structure, and satisfaction. 91 Pts.

 

Interestingly, this wine spends time in both new French oak and traditional Slavonian botti, which apparently helps with it's split personality. Also contributing to the traditional side is the altitude of the vineyard from which these grapes are sourced, 320 meters. La Fiorita is located in the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone of the Montalcino DOCG, an area rich in fine Brunello producers.

San Polo: Brunello Di Montalcino 2008 and Rubio 2010

Here are two wines from Allegrini's Montalcino winery, Poggio San Polo.

2008 San Polo Brunello Di Montalcino 13.5% ABV, $55

 

The nose is both elegant and deep in character, with spiced cherry fruit that is full, but not overly ripe. Underbrush notes support the aspects of the nose. Also present are hints of snuffed-out candle and subtle spearmint, both adding pleasantly to the complexity.
The palate is medium weight and full flavored showing solid red cherry fruit with cherry liquor undertones and sweet Asian spice. Good acidity supports, but doesn't overshadow the personality of the palate. Easy tannins follow, with a bit of cinnamon, and dried cherry skins on the finish. Plush, and pleasant. 89 Pts

2010 San Polo "Rubio" IGT 13.5% ABV, $13

 

Composed primarily of Sangiovese from the Montalcino zone (the producer does not specify what other grapes may be included) the Rubio is a straightforward and solid IGT wine, aimed at the burgers and pasta niche. The nose starts of with cherry liquor notes, prominent underbrush and dried herbs on top. Subtle spice notes, perhaps anise and / or nutmeg, peek through as well..The palate is mid-weight and fairly bold with plenty of good acidity, balanced by firm tannins and dried red cherry fruit. It finishes with some earthiness, charcoal, good grip, and moderate length. 88Pts




You can read my post about other Allegrini wines here.

Allegrini Celebrates at The Guggenheim

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the James Turrell exhibit at The Guggenheim Museum in New York, Allegrini celebrated 30 years of their single vineyard wines, La Grola and La Poja. The evening was colorful and exciting, highlighted by the pouring of 2010 La Grola and 2007 La Poja, and by Maralisa Allegrini's address to the gathering. (Click here to learn more about James Turrell on Artsy.net)

Milo Manara's Art for the 2011 La Grola Label

Allegrini is best known for its wines produced in the Veneto, in north eastern Italy. The Amarone is consistently well ranked among critics, and the Palazzo Della Torre is very popular and widely available. The two featured wines of the night are also products of that region. La Grola is a blend of Corvina Veronese, Oseleta, and Syrah from the Valpolicella zone. La Poja is 100% Corvina Veronese, a traditional grape of the region.

The realm of Allegrini extends well beyond the Veneto, with five wines from the Montalcino zone, including a Brunello called "San Polo". Also, from Bolgheri, in the west of Tuscany, they bring five IGT wines, under the Poggio Al Tesoro label. Accept for the Vermentino, these are composed primarily of Bordeaux varietals.

Finally, they have the Corte Giara label which is geared, for the most part, toward bringing everyday wines to the market, with options ranging from Amarone to Merlot to Pinot Grigio, eleven wines in all.

For this evening, the focus was on the two single vineyard Veronese wines, and the special commemorative art for the 2011 La Grola label, created by Italian illustrator Milo Manara.

This label was designed around the legend of the La Grola vineyard, which was shared with the gathering by Maralisa, and is recounted below.

Classic Turrell Lighting Above the Event

Not to be overlooked was the wonderful setting of the Guggenheim, and Turrell.

Two Works of Art

  The most stunning part of the Turrell exhibit, by far, was the Guggenheim rotunda ceiling filled with colored light of varying intensity. The effect bathed the room, and guests below, in shades of violet, blue, turquoise, red, grey, and more.

The Anniversary Label Bathed in Turrell's Light

The light subtly transitioned from one color to the next creating a supernatural ambiance. Below are few photos from the evening, and my tasting notes from this very enjoyable event.

Maralisa Allegrini Addresses the Gathering

 Recounting the Legend of "La Grola", The Crow

 The Legend of La Grola

 

 

 

Allegrini La Grola 2010. 13.8% ABV  $30

Tar and floral notes start the impression on the nose with a pleasant bitterness. The fruit here is raspberry and blackberry with a bit of milk chocolate.
The mid-weight palate has a nice chewy texture, with mineral, grippy strawberry fruit and nice length.
Firm and textured with an excellent composite of fruit and structure that produces a satisfying completeness. 91 Pts
80% Corvina / 10% Oseleta / 10% Syrah
16 Months in barrique, then 2 additional months after blending, followed by 10 months in bottle before release.

 

The 2007 La Poja and Turrell's Guggenheim Ceiling

 

 

 Allegrini La Poja 2007

The nose is complex and yummy showing dark plum and black cherry with espresso, nutmeg,
toasted almond / coconut cookie and tobacco.
The palate has nice dried black cherry and blackberry tart flavor, along with a little cherry liquor note and solid structure that works well at balancing out the yumminess factor with a fine grained grip.The finish is long and firm, with  nice minerality and sweet tobacco. 90 Pts
100% Corvina Veronese from a single vineyard, "La Poja" $87

Siro Pacenti "Pelagrilli" 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino

Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli, Brunello Di Montalcino 2007

 14.5% ABV

Forward dark fruit character on the nose, with pure black cherry and a little bit of funk.
On the palate, the black cherry continues, with more of a roasted nature to it. There is a nice earthiness, underlining on the palate, and a bit of minerality.
The finish shows light tannins and some warmth. 89Pts $40

Siro Pacenti actually consists of two farms, Pelagrilli, located northeast of Montalcino, the other Piancornello, just south of Sant' Angelo in Colle. Most of the vines are 20 to 30 years old.