The Power of Three: New Vintage Rosso di Montalcino
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Jan 2021
Rosso di Montalcino took a bit of a backseat this year due to all of the excitement over 2016 Brunello di Montalcino, but now it’s time to focus some attention on these wines. The three vintages currently in the market all have their merits, and also provide some insight as to what might be in store for Brunello.
New Releases from the Tuscan Coast
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Jan 2021
The Tuscan Coast is one of the most idyllic, evocative regions in Italy and beyond. Breathtaking landscapes dotted with striking vineyards influenced by the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea give birth to compelling wines that run the gamut from daily drinkers to highly coveted, age-worthy reds that stand with the very best wines from around the world. This report focuses on 2018s and 2017s that are in the market now, along with a handful of entry-level 2019s.
2016 Brunello di Montalcino: Radiance Personified
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Nov 2020
In this year of incredible stress, heartache and forced changes to the way that we all have to live, there is certainly a comfort in looking at past vintages that are only now being released. Never before have these wines been more like a time capsule. There is no other vintage or category of wine that I’ve been looking forward to more than the 2016 Brunello di Montalcinos. The big question is: Do the 2016s live up to our expectations?
Cellar Favorite: 2006 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Nov 2020
The fact is, the 2016 Riserva became one of my favorite wines to pull from my cellar year after year. Now, at fourteen years old, the 2006 appears to have fully peaked, but is holding strong.
Antinori Solaia From Magnum: 1978-2016
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Sep 2020
It’s always great to be in London. There is something magical about the city. Its energy and pulse are so inspiring. This vertical of Antinori’s iconic Solaia going back to the inaugural 1978, with all but the very early vintages from magnum, was truly unforgettable.
Chianti Classico: More Than Meets The Eye
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Sep 2020
For the first time in many, many years I was not able to make my summer trip to Tuscany to taste the wines of Chianti Classico. That’s 2020 for you. But you know what? There is something to be said for the perspective gained by tasting the wines far away from those stunning hillside vineyards, removed from the charming towns, without any of that amazing food. Would the wines be as impressive as I have long thought?
Cellar Favorite: Soldera: A Look at the 2013 & 2014
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jul 2020
It is hard to believe Gianfranco Soldera is no longer with us, as he was such a force of nature. Long coveted by those in the know, Soldera’s wines remain incredibly singular expressions of Sangiovese and Montalcino. Over the years I have been fortunate to visit the estate many times and taste numerous wines from cask including the 2013 and 2014 reviewed here from bottle.
Cellar Favorite: 1997 Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jun 2020
The 1997 wines of Tuscany have become something of a question mark in the eyes of many consumers. At release, the press went wild for the wines. Some still see 1997 as one of Italy’s greatest modern-day vintages, and to this day, salespeople base their pitch on its prestige.
Cellar Favorite: 1999 Podere La Vigna Brunello di Montalcino
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Apr 2020
The 1999 vintage in Montalcino has always held a special place in my heart, and for very good reason; the cool and dry growing season resulted in structured wines with balanced acidity. The hard part was waiting for them to mature.
2015 Brunello: The Vintage We Have Been Waiting For?
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Apr 2020
Montalcino is in a constant state of flux. Recent years have brought scandal, a division between traditional and international styles, various efforts to organize and define vineyard sites and repeated battles to change the guidelines of the producers' consortium, all accompanied by a series of fair vintages consumers have often snubbed. You can imagine the happiness 2015 brought winemakers. But is it the vintage consumers have been waiting for?