2019 Uccelliera Rosso di Montalcino
10/20/2022 rated 91 points:** This is very expressive from the get go. Some nice herb and leather notes with red berry and plum notes quickly coming to the forefront. Fine and silky texture this is surprisingly open and just flat out delicious. Nice acid and a bit of structure hold everything in place for a solid finish. This is a great RDM for the price and one to drink over the next several years
Terrific QPR, tough to pick Chianti when I can find RDM that’s so good.
I bought several of these last year from a benchmark sale, and I found them to be good quality but slightly modern and anonymous. Bit too polished. I prefer the rusticity of CCR. Speaks more to its place in my opinion at least the ones I buy. I want slightly more acid and non-fruit elements to my Tuscan wines. But again, it’s a well-made wine and I plan to give the remaining bottles a year or two to see if the terroir peeks out more with time.
I can see that Michael and agree theirs some polish to this that might minimize a sense of place. Not sure if that’s the house style. I am usually hit or miss with CCR . Not sure if I’m overly sensitive to the rusticity or over dryness I sometimes get. I did have an outstanding 2016 Monteraponi CCR Campitello last weekend. Haven’t gotten around to writing a note but it was outstanding. A bit primary and young but a beautiful wine. It should be something special in a few years.
I’m with you, and even used those exact words - modern and anonymous. Felt like it could be new world pinot! I think that’s the danger of Rosso - when done well (e.g. Fuligni), the purity can shine brilliantly, but there are many bottles that are completely forgettable or worse. With CCR, even if it’s a lesser bottle there’s a soulfulness to the rusticity that makes it more appealing and it still conjures Italy. Even supermarket CCR can have this quality.
Totally agree. I’ve enjoyed Tassi’s as well, but in general I’m a bit wary of this category. It’s odd too because I’m often happy to drink the lesser wines of good producers as daily drinker wines, particularly in Piedmont, but have had less luck with RdM. I will add that even Chianti isn’t totally immune. I purchased a Chianti from WA last year that could have been California cabernet. At least that is the exception there though.
I agree with the contrast between RdM and CCR, but I see it as a positive thing.
I look for very different things in my RdM than I do in my CCR.
RdM - I want bright and “pure”. I actually think 2019 is a great place to find that. RdM has a pretty narrow range from producer to producer, so you can be fairly confident on what you are getting even if experimenting with a new producer or vintage.
RdM I almost always consume with food, and though I have preferences for pairings, most can be paired with just about anything.
CCR - I look for a bit more complexity with spice and as you have mentioned some rusticity. There is a ton of variation among CCR imo though, so you can easily strike out when experimenting.
I somewhat often drink CCR on its own, and when pairing I am often a bit more particular about what it is paired with.
I think of the 2 as just very different types of wine.
Good discussion and i recognize a few comments above in the CT notes I read about the Uccelliera. I can see how some might see some level of “sameness” in the wine or it being a bit too polished. That’s something I am usually sensitive to and the Il Brucato baby super tuscan is a good example for me.
I have more tasting experience with Montalcino wines compared to Chianti but my hit rate is higher. Agree with many of the comments on how different RDM to CC or CCR is. My wife and I were able to try the 2018 Isole e Olena CC in half bottle last night. What a pretty wine and a nice contrast to the RDM. Plenty of bright fruit but much more herb component and dusty tannins. It was good on it’s own but really shined with my short rib dinner. The meat really helped the wine stand out and it was terrific. W/O food I preferred the Uccelliera but with meals the Isole stole the show.
Great discussion and have enjoyed everyone’s feedback.
@Joseph_Grassa
We had the 2018 Le Ragnaie RDM this weekend. It was bright and pure and everything you want in a Rosso. The 19 is supposed to be even better. I did prefer it to the Uccelliera but both are great wines just a bit different in style.
Since posting I’ve had several examples of RDM that are worth sharing
18 and 19 La Ragnaie- outstanding, such purity and worth seeking out. Creeping up in price though $35ish and getting close to some entry level Brunello
18 Fuligni- these have take a few years but are now in a sweet spot. Great wine at a great price
20 Il Poggione- beautiful wine showing the house style. It needs a few more years. Terrific value as can be found under $25.
As for Chianti the 2016 Castello dei Rampolla recently is in a great spot. It’s a bit round and full in style I think from the Merlot and Cab components so may not be preferred by some but it’s a crowd pleaser for sure. The 19 is supposed to be even better and I have one teed up for next week.
21 CC vintage got very strong reviews from AG. Picked up some Monteraponi recently but won’t touch it for a few years.
We’re heading to Pienza/Florence first week of October and will be visiting Fuligni, Il Poggoine, and Felsina. We’ll probably hit Pitti Gola in Florence multiple times as well. We should have a great chance to continue the comparisons and will circle back on the wines that standout.
The 2008, 2009 and 2010 are all really outstanding. I continue to leave my remaining bottles undisturbed. Anytime I see bottles I grab them as the wine is increasingly difficult to find in the DC market.
I agree with these being totally different wines to me. I also agree that il Poggione’s RdM is one of my favorites. Heck I even agree with the Castell’in Via Riservas being amazing. They definitely need time though. I’m really excited to see where the 15 and 16 Riservas from Castell’in Via are in 15-20 years. The 90s era Castell’in Via Riservas ive had recently have been some of my favorite wines ive ever had.
I really like how well good RDM and CC’s can show with only a few years of age. Due to no space left and getting older I’ve cut way back on wines that need 10+ years of cellaring. The Le Ragnaie RDM is outstanding if you haven’t tried. It’s just approaching the cost of other producers Brunello’s.
It sure if I commented before but definitely both.
While messing up my inventory reduction (aimed for 0 this month), I kept the number low and ordered 2018/19 Gorelli - Rosso di Montalcino that I’m very excited to try. Will pop the 2018 sometime soon I expect. Anyone given them a try before?
Hold on mates… while I haven’t genned up on Italian grapes for yonks, I think RdM / BdM and Chianti are different strains of Sangiovese. Chianti uses a smaller, more acidic version, while RdM / BdM uses a larger, more tannic version. This would most deffo make for quite a noticeable difference in characteristics once bottled.
I take the silence that no one tried this yet. RdM doesn’t gets much better. Better than many Brunello’s and I don’t doubt that this will develop favorably over time.
PnP and quite mute the first night but really took off on the third night. At some point when just enjoying the wine I started to doubt if I drank a Barolo/Nebbiolo or a Sangiovese. And I say that with affection, never experienced that with a young Sangiovese before.
More than worth messing up the cellar reduction plan.