Brunello Di Montalcino Tasting and Reviews

Brunello Di Montalcino Tasting and Reviews – Episode #167

January 16, 2007

Wines tasted in this episode:

Sangiovese Grasso is the grape behind this classic wine, sit back and watch as Gary Vaynerchuk tastes and review four wines score 95 or higher by the Wine Spectator.

129 Responses

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January 17, 2007

mikeyrad
ok, here’s a guess. Gary tasting wine with cheese is my clue. I’m guessing something about http://www.gourmetlibrary.com.
January 17, 2007

Dominus
Waiting with baited wine breath . . .
January 17, 2007

grape_ape
yeah, 168?!?
January 17, 2007

Adam
That’s what I’m thinking. Where is the announcement?
January 17, 2007

Brandon M
Where’s this HUUUUGE announcement?
January 17, 2007

Rob M.
168????
January 17, 2007

NickP
OK, I said in comment 80 I’d check back on some of the BDMs I had in the past. While I know I had a number over the years I was only able to find a record for one. Here’s an indication of what’s happened over the years: Silvio Nardi Cavaliere del Lavoro, 1974: $8.99/bottle bought in 1981 in NYC, drunk in 1985. My rather simple tasting notes, printed on the back of the label which I still have, say: “Clear, deep red color – like a good Chianti Classico Riserva. Pleasant, abundant bouquet w/some woodiness. Elegant, smooth taste; good wood and tannins, not overbearing, but apparent. Much smoother and more subtle than a Ch. Classico. I think ready to drink but should last and improve for a while.”
I also found a record of a 1995 Casnova di Neri – that was a gift.
I did buy two bottles of the Pinini today – at $60/bot I hope they live up to their billing, esp.
in light of what a decent bottle cost back in 1981!
BTW – WL cheese shop is currently out of the Robiola Piedmont cheese – they may get more later in the week.
January 17, 2007

Michael J Vino
Great episode Gary. I am shocked to read that Patriot fans actually enjoy good vino. I would have thought they only drank beer (Sam Adams or a Boston microbrew). J-E-T-S!!!
January 17, 2007

Italian Stallion
OK…First off….That girl did the impression PERFECT…not to mention she swirled the glass like a pro. GREAT JOB!!

QOD: The best Brunello I ever had was the 2001 Cassanova Di Neri Tenuta Nuova (WS # 1 wine of 2006)…thanks to my good buddy TampaSteve
January 17, 2007

Sam Zen
Scar4y how well that little girl swirled the glass… dad, you’re screwed when she gets older!
January 17, 2007

John Blue Label
An update! I had a bottle of the Pinino 2001 that Gary tasted yesterday, and tried it today. WOW!!! Was it fantastic. Gary, my man, you got the Right Stuff! This is the nectar of the gods.This is one of the finest wines I have ever had (I admit, I’m a newbie, but oh boy is this good) I have ordered a case to keep for a few years. JW
January 17, 2007

Gregg Johnson
Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino is my favorite so far. What stood out for me was the balance between fruit, toast, earth (like peat moss, forest), and nice tannins. I was very impressed by it.

I’ve just discovered this Wine Library TV and like it a lot. You do a great job. I have some episodes to catch up on. Thanks.
January 17, 2007

Anthony L
La Magia 99 riserva! Excellent bang for your bones!!!
January 17, 2007

Brian
Great. Brunello the noblest wine of Tuscany. You kill me with these tastings! Awesome presentation and supreme honesty. BTW, Favorite Brunello of all time is ‘85 Castelgiocondo riserva in a mag!
January 17, 2007

Sherri
Awesome episode! Sierra stole the show… obviously has watched a LOT of WLTV and can do a great impression!!

GO PATS (sorry Gary)
January 17, 2007

Mike C
Gary…you have been really funny lately. Are you drinking before the episodes?
January 17, 2007

Fred Horwitz
Gary,

I am new to WLTV, and I am thrilled to join this community. What a great idea! I am also new to Brunello, but decided to jump right in with the ‘01 vintage. Picked up a few different bottles – Banfi, Tenuto di Nuova, Castelgiocondo, Siro Pacenti, and Valdicava. Great names I know – I have a friend who is a BdM freak and she suggested a number of these.

The question I have for you is should I wait until 2010/11 to pop these babies? I store them in my basement in Cleveland, OH ,which is 1/2 underground, so the temp is fairly consistent averaging about 65F. I only have about 2 bottles of each, so I would hate to wait too long and find them over the hill. How much would I miss if I decanted them say in December 2007? I know that this question can be answered generally regardless of varietal, but I’m wondering if you’ve had positive experiences decanting young Brunellos in particular.

Thanks – Fred

PS. I know you’re a JETS fan, but I’m hoping that you were able to appreciate the quality and level of drama of the Patriots-Chargers game last Sunday. Classic Brady/Belichick. What a machine. Go PATS! (please don’t hold this against me!)
January 17, 2007

Faryan
Fav brunellos:

Altesino 95
Tenuta La Fuega 95 riserva (more for the ocassion than for the wine, albeit it was good)
January 17, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Hire Sierra, put her on contract now and keep her ready for when she is drinking age. What talent

Brunello’ s are second on my list Poggio is consistent for me 90, 95, 97 the best recent vintages for me, my preference is still Barolo because the Nebbiolo grape is so temperamental that it is difficult to reproduce in any other country. And Brunello’s still possess the old world charm. What you liked the most about these wines you tasted today seemed to be the new world aspects and that, to me, is destructive to terroir as these are being made to appeal to short term use and not storage. Will the fruit bombs hold up or fade out as so many of the CA wines that are over-the-top at the beggining but never age into anything special? I don’t want to see homogenization of the wine business where everything has the same profile. Tasting these wines in the region (Tuscany border) many of the smaller wineries still possess the old world charm.
January 17, 2007

shea
Nice comparisons GARY! Watch OUT – You have enormous competion with cutie Sierra, good thing
she’s just a a babe and not able to drink the real thing!

My QOTD: can any one advise me?

I am a healthy, all natural organic foodie (when its available, no processing, no additives, no
gmo) and in touch with my body and surroundings….never smoked and do not ever take
prescription drugs…NO CHEMICAL ADDITIVES HERE!

I am having a little trouble with Old World wines, particulary REDS.

I have noticed the New World acidity and many taste like a HUGE ZIN! Which is fantastic, however..

My issue is, an uncomfortable feeling hours after drinking….I think it

may be because of the unfiltered wines…Have you ever heard of this?

They don’t agree with my digestion…..

Salute!
Shea
January 17, 2007

KAHUNA
I was just in Italy this past July and the Brunellos are no where near as cheap as they used to be- in 2001 they flowed like water in 2006 they flowed like really expensive water!

In 2005 we were in Florence & the Tuscan countryside and I drank so many Brunello’s- I could not even tell you the name of one- But I brought home a nice 70 euro bottle and my wife left it in the car in 95 degree weather for 2 days when we got home- the cork has pushed up about 1/4 of an inch- would be happy to let Gary try this on air.
January 17, 2007

jeff verellen
I tried alot of brunello over my lifetime but for me the: “Brunello tenuta oliveto” did it!
January 17, 2007

NickP
Tim, I read the cheese as Piedmont Robiola.
January 17, 2007

Joyce
Gary…..great episode……we saw you, by the way, wipe your cheesey fingers on your pants! HA!…Be vewy vewy afraid….Cierra’s coming! She was fantastic, great presence.

Fun episode, as usual. Glad you’re back in NJ!

Joyce
January 17, 2007

NickP
GV,
This was a great episode. Doc Brown’s daughter stole the show from a performance perspective – she’s got a future!
As for the wines, BDM’s have long been a favorite. My love of wine began in teh 70s and my first real splurge was on a BDM. I probably have the label at home, but I don’t remember which one it was offhand. I’ll have to come back with that another time. But I have had for sure Banfi, Silvio Nardi, Biondi-Santi over the years and they are always terrific, though I will admit for the price one pays I have been somewhat disappointed with some of them in the past. I recieved a Banfi and a Collosorbo, both 2000, for Christmas – but I’ll have to wait on those. I’ll be in the store this afternoon for a few bottles of teh Pinino and the cheese.

Keep it coming!