Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2010 Takes its name from the free-spirited gentleman named Bruscone who lived in the woods of the Barbi Estate. Patented system of vinification, based on the Tuscan tradition of “May Wines.” A wine which was born from the extensive soaking of skinned Sangiovese grapes that rest for 3 months with their pomace. One of the first “Super-Tuscan’s.” Fattoria dei Barbi is “The” reference for Brunello in Montalcino. Barbi’s approach of using tradition to anchor contemporary expressions of wine continues to position Barbi as a leading producer in Brunello. The Colombini family is one of the most influential of the region and have been an…

Tenuta Il Poggione Brunello Di Montalcino 2010 Tenuta Il Poggione was founded at the end of 1800 when Lavinio Franceschi, land owner from Florence, decided to visit the area after hearing the stories from a shepherd, who brought his herds around Montalcino during the winter. He fell in love with the landscape and the people who lived in that area, and decided to buy land and establish a grape farm. More than a century later, Tenuta Il Poggione covers an area of 530 hectares, of which 140 hectares are planted with vines and 50 hectares with olive trees. The vineyards are at an altitude between 490 – 1475 feet above…

Capanna Brunello Di Montalcino 2008 The Capanna Farm, owned by the Cencioni family since 1957, is situated north of Montalcino in the Montosoli area, which has always been considered one of the best ”crus” of Brunello. An area of about 30 acres is cultivated as a vineyard, and the other 28 acres as an olive-grove. Its magnificent position and the stony soil, together with the dry and airy climate, allows Capanna to produce a Brunello wine that is graceful and elegant, suitable for a long maturing process. Went to a restaurant on the Cape, Barley Neck Inn, which offers half price wines during the month of October. They have a…

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Brunello Di Montalcino Tenute Silvio Nardi consists of 80 hectares of vineyards in an unspoiled part of central Tuscany, Montalcino, whose symbol is its great red wine, Brunello. Silvio Nardi founded the estate at Casale del Bosco, and since 1985 it has been run by Emilia, his youngest daughter. Emilia Nardi knows she can depend on Casale’s special and distinctive territory to produce a contemporary and elegant Brunello. She has invested in the vineyards of this harmonious natural setting. Each of her signature wines expresses the differing character of Sangiovese when it is grown at Montalcino. The estate’s vineyards are situated between 140 and 420 meters…

Solaria Patrizia Cencioni Brunello di Montalcino 2003 The Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencioni is a family owned and run winery that is located on the southeast slope of the Montalcino hillside. The property is almost 50 HA of which 8ha are vined growing DOCG Brunello. The vines were planted in 1989, the year Solaria was founded; though its origins go back to the family estate created in the 1950’s by Giuseppe Cencioni, one of the founders of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino. With Solaria, the estate has vastly improved thanks to the considerable family experience and the entrepreneurial ability of the owner Patrizia Cencioni who adds a feminine touch! A…

Caparzo 2005 Brunello Di Montalcino The name of the estate apparently derives from “Ca’ Pazzo”, as shown on some ancient maps. The estate covers an area of 190 hectares, 54 of which are vineyards, 4 are of olive groves, 87 of which are wooded and 45 of which are to be planted with new vines. Caparzo is the only estate-bottled producer of Brunello di Montalcino to have estate vineyards on all five sides of the hill of Montalcino, ensuring that no matter what climatic challenges effect one side, the other vineyards will more than compensate. More than thirty years have passed since the first vines were planted and the first…

Renieri – Brunello di Montalcino 2006 Riserva I met the wine maker Marco Bacci, of Bacci Wineries, at a private wine dinner in the home of a large New England wine merchant.  We tasted several of Marco’s wines that night.  His vineyard is high in altitude with iron rich soil, located in the southern part of Montalcino. Most of his wines are reasonably priced as he told me “his focus is to produce the best possible fruit”.  The Riserva I opened recently was one of Marco’s pricier offerings, but well worth it.  100% Sangiovese, the principal grape, was aged in French Oak for 24 months which gives the wine both…