The Auswine Forum

Brunello seems to polarise Aussie wine drinkers. It is amazing how different in structure and texture these wines can be from our typical fruit bomb.
Garnet in colour, with hints of bricking at the rim. Youthful-looking for a wine that is just on thirteen years old.
Typical palate that has a myriad of flavours, predominantly on the savoury side of the spectrum. Unlike most standard bottlings, however, this riserva does have a fantastic generosity of fruit, and hints of ripe red fruits and plum are there in the background.
Finishes firm, though the harsh, drying tannins of a young brunello have melted away. This wine is all about "terroir", structure, and polish. A superb food wine, and an education in what the region can produce at its best.
95 points......................................Drink: now-2010.

AJ
I am working hard on my Italian wine comprehension.
Does Riserva just represent more oak plus or minus better grape selection?
regards
michel
ps can you reccomend a good site to find out more info on specific wines
many thanks

My appreciation of Brunello's is very high after a trip to Italy last year. I got to taste a wide range of wines through Tuscany, Umbria and Piedmont. My favourites were the Brunello's (followed closely by the great Sagrantino reds from Montefalco).

I was able to taste a range of the 1997 Brunello's while visiting Montalcino. These were superb wines with lashings of fruit, acid, tannins and oak, and very well balanced. There are so many flavours in these wines, including intense cherry liqueur, liquorice and spicy, smokey, savoury flavours. The pick of those we tasted were Siro Pacenti (60 Euro) and Solaria - Cenconi (30 Euro).

Given that the 1990 vintage was a cracker in Tuscany I can imagine how good you Altesino was.

Ciao, KeithT

John;

I am very jealous. So you think this wine has some time to go? Do you think it going to improve anymore or is it a it's peak but will hold there for some time (as per your 2010 call)

jezza

Michel,

Go to the Italiana Tribuna board on the WCWN board - you will find a wealth of wisdom there. In particular read the fabulous "Fun with Piedmonte Producers Parts 1-5" - guaranteed to get you wanting to pack your bags for that glorious wine region immediately...

As for the other regions, they are also dealt wituh on that board. From Tuscany, I for one can recommend the wines of Casa Emma, from the basic Chianti up to the Soloio merlot, they are well made and reasonably priced. Querciabella also produce some pricier - but interesting - wines (and don't disregard the whites).

I'll send through the reco's as I recall them. I drink Italian regularly here, with Barolo being at the top of the tree. I tend to prefer more traditional producers, or those more modern that manage their oak well. I have particularly enjoyed Rinaldi, Mascarello, and Pira to date.