Greatest Expressions of Sangiovese?

[Steven_Pumilia]

An added wrinkle, if I may, Noah…some in the sub $100 category, too, please. This is a blind spot for me, but I’m starting to dip my toes in.

Cepparello.

This.

[Laurent_Gibet]

My best sangiovese : Brunello di Montalcino Soldera Case Basse 2012 : 18,5/20 (in 2017)

[Chris_Seiber]

Strange that nobody mentioned Percarlo. But I am generally sceptic these days if posts like this are helpful. They may create hypes which are a disadvantage for consumers.

My Costco (The District in Irvine) has had Percarlo on the shelf for most of the last year. So I don’t think you need to worry that mentioning it on this thread is going to create a problem.

[Nathan_V]

For me, Soldera stands alone, in purity, ageability and distinction from any other, as well as for pure enjoyment.

Jonathan

Agreed. A very rare case where one winery really does seem to have fully captured the magic.

I haven’t had as much Soldera as I would like, but to me it is sui generis, like Rayas or Vatan, nothing else is quite like it.

[Steven_Orloff]

Valdicava was my Italian wine epiphany.

[Troy_Stark]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

[Ray.Tuppa_sch]

I’m hardly a Sangiovese expert and probably only drink 20 or so bottles per year but my favorites and therefore the ones I own are Poggio di Sotto, Stella di Campalto and Valdicava Madonna del Piano. The 2001 vintage of the latter is my favorite Sangiovese based wine.
I’ve had a lot of exposure to Soldera, but it just has never done it for me.

[Nathan_Smyth]

the 2013 Agostini Pieri

That was my Fine Wine of the Year for 2018.

It’s an epic “Sangiovese”.

[Technically speaking, “Brunello” is supposed to be a slightly different cultivar, although the purists could probably argue about that question from now until the cows come home. Which I guess is easier than sending some plant material off for DNA analysis.]

[Tim_Heaton]

Served blind last night in Brescia, I guessed Giacosa 1978.

Revealed, it was the 1988 Le Pergole Torte. I suppose if the guess is Giacosa, it’s a win, either way. Great bottle, extremely elegant, with good>very good freshness, still. My top? No, but excellent nonetheless. A 2004 of this same bottle was a top 10 Sangiovese, no doubt.

[Pat_Martin]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

+1. Though the 2001 was surprisingly good.

[Pat_Martin]

Several bottles in recent years of the 95 Lisini Brunello Ugolaia were epic. The 99 Lisini Brunello normale is also quite good. More recent incarnations of Lisini, however, are in a different style it seems — more modern, less to my liking.

[Jay_Miller]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

Ditto. Someone generously brought one to the Heritage tasting. I didn’t dump it as quickly as the SQN or the Pavie but I didn’t drink much.

[Troy_Stark]

Ditto. Someone generously brought one to the Heritage tasting. I didn’t dump it as quickly as the SQN or the Pavie but I didn’t drink much.

SQN - ugh. Another producer I’ve tried on numerous occasions and never enjoyed. Every time I try it my base emotion is confusion; Why do people like this? Is my palate broken? Could a winemaker really believe this is varietally correct? How is it possible there’s a 10 year waiting list for these wines?

Sorry for the thread drift…

[Tim_Heaton]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

+1. Though the 2001 was surprisingly good.

Patrick, I have 2 left from release, let’s drink; back mid May. In Alsace tonight, Dusseldorf tomorrow. a presto

[Mattstolz]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

+1. Though the 2001 was surprisingly good.

Patrick, I have 2 left from release, let’s drink; back mid May. In Alsace tonight, Dusseldorf tomorrow. a presto

had a 2000 recently that I also thought was very good. I haven’t ever had a younger version though to speak to the oak before it has a chance to incorporate

[Joongul_Lee]

Monsanto Il Poggio.

[Jeff_Bloom]

I love Sangiovese (I have a cat named Brunello) and I buy a lot of those mentioned already regularly. I would normally say Flaccianello is the epitome of consistent excellence for me, with Rancia probably the next in line. Soldera, as others have said, is in a class by itself but it really doesn’t do it for me.

I attended a vertical of Biondi-Santi Riservas last year, though, and it was a wow moment. My budget doesn’t allow for regular purchases but, damn, they were definitely a step above.

[Pat_Martin]

It’s interesting to read about people’s preferences in this thread. My wife and I have tried many different vintages of Valdicava. Just doesn’t do anything for us. Too modern and oaky for our palates.

+1. Though the 2001 was surprisingly good.

Patrick, I have 2 left from release, let’s drink; back mid May. In Alsace tonight, Dusseldorf tomorrow. a presto

You’re on! Let me know when you’re back and have a corkscrew handy.

[Markus_S]

… Biondi-Santi Riservas …and it was a wow moment. My budget doesn’t allow for regular purchases but, damn, they were definitely a step above.

I didn’t need to hear this.

[John_Kight]

Late to this thread. Most of these have been named previously. The best are:

Fontodi Flaccianello
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte
San Giusto a Rentennano’s Percarlo
Isole e Olena’s Cepparello
Soldera Brunello
Biondi-Santi Brunello Riserva
Cerbaiona Brunello
Poggio di Sotto Brunello.

However, most all of the above have pushed to over $100. A more interesting list, to me, are the Sangiovese wines that are ALMOST as good as all of the above, but can generally be enjoyed for under $60 (half the price of the above wines):

Selvapiana CCR Bucherchiale
Montevertine Montevertine
Lisini Brunello
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello (I’m amazed this wine doesn’t get more love…similar to Lisini & Costanti, but doesn’t get quite the same level of mentions)
Conti Costanti Brunello
Il Poggione Brunello
Felsina’s CCR Rancia & IGT Fontalloro
Monsanto Il Poggio (getting tougher to find anymore, though)

I was torn as to whether to include Il Carbonaione as well, but while I like the wine, I find it to lack the silkiness and elegance of the ones listed above. Just a bit darker and more rustic style. While I didn’t include here, although I definitely like the wine and it’s a great value.