An Italian Brunello Blind Tasting, Brown Bags And Fun!

An Italian Brunello Blind Tasting, Brown Bags And Fun! – Episode #487

June 17, 2008

Gary Vaynerchuk tries 3 Brunello wines from Italy, The Brunello Di Di Montalcino wines are some of the most Sought after in the world!

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Comments on this episode(217) Leave a comment ›

“Loved it, i am a huge fan of tuscany, brunello especially. couldn’t a…” by Andrew
“Im down with the Iron Shiek. Poor guy has gone absolutely bat— craz…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2001 Ruffino Brunello Di Montalcino Greppone MazziBrunello di Montalcino
2003 Fanti Brunello Di MontalcinoBrunello di Montalcino
2003 La Rasina Brunello Di MontalcinoBrunello di Montalcino

Links mentioned in todays episode.

217 Responses

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June 17, 2008

Exgrap
My wife and I will never forget our first Brunello. We were beginning wine drinkers back in the mid nineties, With three young kids we could hardly afford a Brunello much less even know what one was. A client gave me a bottle as a gift. When we traveled we always brought our cooler. This time we threw in the Brunello(’89, I believe) having no idea about cost or pedigree. After we dropped off our oldest child at camp we settled in at a nearby motel with the two little ones. It was a hot summer late afternoon so we camped out by the pool. After ordering a pizza, I brought it down by the pool with our Brunello and a few Dixie cups. I waded into the pool with a cup for my wife and one for myself. We both tasted at the same time and broke out in big smiles. We were blown away.We had never tasted anything so elegant and here we were drinking out of paper cups and eating cheap pizza. I’ll never forget that it was the night of the opening ceremonies for the “96 Olympics. By the time the fireworks were exploding our Brunello was also reaching its crescendo. We still talk about that crazy experience and always celebrate special occassions with a Brunello
June 17, 2008

Malphas
I do not have a Brunello story… yet.
June 17, 2008

Dr. Dan
After the last few Brunellos that I had, I finally verbalized why I like them so much. To me, they are very reminiscent of Pinot Noirs. This is precisely what GV described today. Brunello is light to medium bodied, with good acidity and fruit, but is also elegant, rather than over powering. This is exactly what I like about Pinot.
June 17, 2008

Rick D
I’m with the majority of those that love the blind tastings. Keep ‘em coming.

SOTD: Brunello has a very soft place in my heart since it launched my wife and I into the wine world. It started on our trip to Italy last year. We spent over a week in Tuscany and, of course, visited both Montalcino and Montepulchiano. The very best time, though, was sitting on the patio of a cafe on the wonderful central piazza, Il Campo, in Sienna sipping Brunello to our heart’s content. There is nothing finer in the world. I also sent a case of Brunello home from Italy and that started my wine collection which now numbers over 150 bottles. If you can still find (and afford them) the 97s are to die for.
June 17, 2008

Kevin K
SOTD: Not yet.
June 17, 2008

Edward Colcord
QOTD: Not . . .yet.
June 17, 2008

BiggRigg
Don’t have a story, yet. Going sailing in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily later this summer, so I am sure I will have one then.
June 17, 2008

sharon
Out of my range. Alas!
June 17, 2008

Rani Haykal
Great Show!!!

QOTD: I have actually never had a Brunello…yet. Ive got a bunch of 2001 Brunellos from different producers but just haven’t opened any of them yet. I will be soon though.

–RH
June 17, 2008

Shawn A
I smell a double blind tasting! Make it hot GV!
June 17, 2008

Nico
dude, love the brunello episodes… “yoda in my mouth” = hilarious. Best Brunello story? 1999 La Colombina Brunello di Montalcino for Valentine’s this year… best wine of my life.

My notes (on corkd of course):
“This is old world goodness!!! I love Brunello! The color was “aging”… lighter and amber/brown edging. The nose is deep and hard to pick, but if I must, licorice, tobacco, soil, sweet oak. On the palate, the acidity and fruit is upfront and LUCID (if that makes sense), but it is so balanced and lasting! …+ or – evals… Distinct varietal character: +, Integration: +, Expressiveness: +, Complexity: +, Connectedness: +”
June 17, 2008

Adam J
Qotd: Not too many to choose from, but Banfi came to the CIA (culinary school) and did a huge tasting for us. We got to taste a few different Brunello vintages, it is a nice memory of the CIA. Any CIA vayniacs? If so hit me up!!!ajaxjenes@hotmail.com
June 17, 2008

Harry
I’ve had a couple, but no good story comes to mind yet. But I’m glad Hacksaw Jim is coming to the game – just need a little Junkyard Dog in there for a good throwdown…
June 17, 2008

Deano
Gary great episode i like the blind method as well.

QOTD:
-Dont have one yet
June 17, 2008

TommyBoBo of WI
QOTD: Best story thus far with Brunello.,,,, bought heavy into the 1997s and have been enjoying their development all these years. Off to Tuscany in October for more local experience,,, maybe with the stalled shipping it will be running in the streets???
June 17, 2008

nbaisley
QOTD: Don’t have one yet boss! Feel free to drop one at my doorstep though..lol
June 17, 2008

Claes
QOTD: I don’t have one… yet
June 17, 2008

Zinny
Hey Gary – thanks for the show. I noticed you didn’t talk about aging Brunellos? Are the wines you tasted today ready to drink – or how long should we cellar them if we were to buy any?

QOTD – no brunello story yet. I had one – it was good. Is that a story?
June 17, 2008

GrapeStuff
Love the blind tastings, keep ‘em coming.

QOTD: Dont have one yet
June 17, 2008

Achilles Mike
Never had one yet…and wondering what will happen next week if the Feds turn a thumbs down on them.
June 17, 2008

AJ
Yo!!! I can’t believe you called Popeye a “Jerkoff”!!!!! How rude!!!!!
June 17, 2008

BF
QOTD: Mine is a bad brunello story, unfortunately. Our local fancy restaurant has “Half-Price Wine Night” on Mondays. We decided to go, and I got all excited because I was going to be a baller and order Brunello. So I scoured their wine list online beforehand and picked out exactly the one I wanted. It was listed at $180, but at half-price I figured what the hell.

We got there and I ordered, and they said “oh, the half-price special doesn’t apply to wines over $100.” D’oh! What’s the point, then??
June 17, 2008

BruceP
SOTD: Small restaurant in Rome. 1 night stopover from working in Algeria. Had the most amazing subtle lemon pasta and then some veal. All that is best about Italian food. Bring together the best possible ingredients and then get the f*$k out of the way. Wish I could remember the name of the wine, but I do remember it being a Brunello.
June 17, 2008

Brian Vanaski
QOTD: I don’t have a Brunello story. Maybe someday.
June 17, 2008

Chris S
I don’t have a Brunello story yet.