From nearly a month, and yet in a way, a lifetime, ago.
Now that I’m holed up here in Chianti Classico, I’ve got some time, and so I finished my full report on the Brunello wines. I tasted a good number of rosso wines, too, and I’ll try to get that out tomorrow. It’s been a wild ride.
Which 2015 Brunello is for you? – ItalianWine.blog - all of these are on CT, but there’s a bit more order on the site.
"I’m going to ignore, if just for a little while, the reality this is just outside of my door here in Chianti Classico area, and write something about wine. Why? Because plenty of people love wine, and some love in particular, the Brunello wine of Montalcino area.
This year’s Benvenuto Brunello event was held in its regular location within the historic city’s center. It was about a week after I’d arrived in Italia, and there was only a murmuring of discussion about the virus; discussions of fatalities, and economic woes followed shortly after.
The event is divided into several days: (1) Friday is a day for the world’s press. We’re seated in a room, with service provided by professional sommeliers, each whom pours the six different bottles we request in each flight. No one has time to taste all of the wines this day, but many try. I see journalists, freelancers, bloggers, ‘pros’, etc., taking about 30 seconds with a wine before jotting some note/score. And while some wines don’t require much thought to figure out, some of the wine at this event deserved more proper attention. In my opinion, anyway. (2) Saturday, a mix of Italian tradespeople, some foreigners/bloggers, etc. (3Su)(4Mo)(5Tu) open to the public; far too chaotic for me anymore.
WHICH 2015 BRUNELLO IS FOR YOU?
If you’re a serious collector, the wines in the highly recommended category deserve your attention. If you’re a casual wine drinker, whose budget is more a concern than absolute quality/longevity, the wines in the recommended category are largely good values; consider these safe bets."
2015 Brunello di Montalcino, new releases (Montalcino): Benvenuto Brunello 2020, Montalcino, 2015 Vasco Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino - CellarTracker
2015 Vasco Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino
Pretty nose, full of baking spice, creamy oak, earth, and fresh leather. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, leans modern with its creamy berry and oak mid-palate. Tannins clamp down a bit on the end, so give this a few years at least. Ultimately missing the freshness, and lift to go to the next level, but good nonetheless. Drink 2022-2031. recommended
Full 2015 Brunello report here Which 2015 Brunello is for you? – ItalianWine.blog
hopefully, some will find this report to be useful/helpful
Tim