Vino-Fabulissimo
Part 1
Gotham Hall NYC
The exceptional wines from Montalcino, Italy (40 kilometers south of Siena-in beautiful Tuscany) are acclaimed.
WHAT:
Exceptionally luscious Sangiovese grapes-crafted into that area's wines-include the regulated reds ...primarily the cellar worthy Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (for 2015-give them 2-3 years imo) and the fresh fruity (drink now or cellar) Rosso di Montalcino DOC.
Recently available-a NYC showcase of the aforementioned sips was joyously sipped- including the excellent 2015 releases (an exceptional year-five star rated) and 2017/18s for the Rossos...(and some Sant' Antimo plus surprise-a few Cabernets + Chardonnays + dessert wine Moscadelio di Montalcino DOC )- all gloriously sipped.
The packed wine tasting was sponsored by the Consorzio Del Vino Brunello Montalcino.
A fan fave for industry and restaurant reps...this tasting tour's offerings epitomized the importance of place (terroir-low and higher altitudes, soil composition, the slope facing directions), weather (Mediterranean mild) and high standards (principal regulations governing Brunello- include maximum production of grapes per hectare -less than 8 tons/ha released onto the market-January 1st of the fifth year after harvesting, two years aged in wooden barrels and aged at least 4 months in the bottle-6 months in the bottle for Riserva...market released a year later).
Medium-boldish chewy -great age potential-with wonderful bouquets when opened/aired (tough to do at a popular wine tasting)... the distinctive first class Brunello di Montalcino DOCGs with the approachable drink now Rosso di Montalcino DOC-should be on everyone's radar...from the serious oenophile wanting una bottiglia to the casual wine sipper looking for un bicchiere without mega- complexity.
Note: these 2015 Montalcino reds are universally palate pleasers-earthy spicey-and are easy to pair with foods.
Just a few of the uniformly premium Brunellos...
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| RIDOLFI-Brunello Di Montalcino has tart cherry, licorice +white peppery spice hints-delicious round tannins - imported by Ethica Wines available now at Zachys $44.99 BONUS: Gracious Italian employees manning this table had their ears bent by American nitpicking a vine age stat-that had a few of us collectively rolling our eyes backwards. HINT maybe sip more-talk less. |
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| La Gerla Montalcino had a value ORGANIC Tuscan table wine-Rosso Toscana IGT Birba (7000 bottles) made of hillside planted, 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes-average age of the vines is 25 years old. Medium-Bold tannins -earthy smoky taste with ripe cherry fruit-an oaky mouthful + bright acidity pairs up well with food gamey meats+hard cheeses. Their yummy Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG 2015 (40,000 bottles) is available now- for just under $70 at Zach's. David Bowler Importer |
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| La Togata imported by Panebianco Wines LLC will accumulate many high ratings -for its Brunello di Montalcino DOCG La Togata 2015, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG La Togata Dei Togati 2015-our fav of the trio w/ distinct smoky flavor -6000 bottles produced- and Rosso di Montalcino DOC Logata 2018 |
via GIPHY