Martoccia Di Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino 2008: Deep red-garnet color with some translucence; very cherry nose; cherry, raspberry, licorice, plum, spice on the palate.
Ripe fruits, smooth, elegant, almost light in the mouth; firm, restrained tannin, nice acidity, hint of earthiness. Most of the juice spent three years in Slovenian oak, some in French oak barriques; the blend then spent a minimum of six months in bottle before being offered for sale.
This bottle, at seven years, is rounding into its prime. Brunello di Montalcino comes from vineyards surrounding the Tuscan town of Montalcino, about 70 miles south of Florence; made with 100% of a specific clone of sangiovese (a legal requirement).
Brunello is one of Italy’s best known and most expensive wines with a history dating back to the 1300s. The Montalcino region was the first region to achieve Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status, Italy’s highest recognition of quality. This effort is politely refined—expect no smack-you-in-the-face Super Tuscan elements; this is smooth, well-spoken, artistic Italian lover, not a muscle-shirted bruiser. Refined, delicious, seductive, bella. $73
