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

Robin C
Interesting DNA video. I can see that you’ve thought about this a lot. Is that the nature vs. nurture argument? One certainly can’t underestimate the power of parents whether through nature or nurture.
QOTD: Brunello-wise: I have several Brunellos waiting for a special occasion like for example if I leave my gate open by mistake and a deer wanders in my back yard and my 9 cats bring it down and I have to stab it through the heart to put it out of it’s misery and after I wash the blood off of the hollyhocks and chitalpa and skin it and whatever else it is you do to a dead deer I could have it for dinner with the Brunello.
June 17, 2008

Richard Ritter
Love the Duggin figure.
QOTD: It was 1997, downtown NYC in some restaurant that I’m not sure is still open, something “De La Fontana”. Anyway, I took my wife and mother-in-law there for lunch. We ate in the basement by the foutain, or what seemed to be the basement, and we were the only ones there. I ordered a 1992 Brunello and my wife and her mother were not big fans, but I was. I guess I was a little too much of a fan and couldn’t go back to work for a while because I had finished the bottle. It was my first Brunello, and I’ve loved them ever since.
June 17, 2008

Roberto
Brunello story:

got my first taste of Brunello in NYC from the man himself, yes, Mr. F Biondi Santi… we had just gotten back from living in Italy and we hit it off, he opened up some of his special stash at a Wine Exp. and that set me off on the Brunello path… Franco Biondi Santi all the way!!!! his brunellos are rustic and tannic and really old world but i love them… you really have to be patient and open them when the time is right… 20 plus yrs…
June 17, 2008

Jimmy T
At least the Fanti was a ‘03. I am cellaring an ‘01 that was highly rated. I hope it brings the thunder.

SOTD: Keeping it short, it was a Brunello that made me a wine enthusiast. I think everyone has that one bottle that was the tipping point for them. Brunello was that for me, I have been a fanantic since.
June 17, 2008

Alex from LA
SOTD – 2001 Pinino Brunello, thanks to you Gary, tired it had to have more of it. 1997 Banfi poggio alla mura first one, brought it over from Italy hand held.
Because of brunellos I have the love for wine that I have today.
June 17, 2008

Rumblestrip
Greatest Iron Sheik interview EVER!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K-wEUCCvE0
June 17, 2008

Grapedigger
Fun show GV..I have not had a Brunello yet, but I’ll very soon..Cheers
June 17, 2008

kaybee
Good show!
QoTd
No Brunello stories yet! Other stories, just not Brunello.
June 17, 2008

Oklahoma Michael
QOTD- 2000 cassanova di neri the cheaper one three months ago. had my good friend over for some vino after work and i told him to pick whatever(because thats what thursday nights are for) It was a little young but killing it goodness. Luckly my girlfriend and his girlfriend were drinking bubbles so we didnt have to share very much. Good Thursday
June 17, 2008

Kelsey
SoTD – Sorry, I don’t have one. YET.

Someone else mentioned they’re a bit out of price range for them and I’ve got to agree. A wee bit rich for my blood…
June 17, 2008

Saftig
These blind tastings really put you through your paces. Well done.
QOTD: While stationed in Germany yonks ago, made side trip to Italy and walked around this small town with open bottle and big hunk of bread. Very rustic.
June 17, 2008

Michael
I have done a lot of brunello tastings when I lived in Italy from 2003-2005. My favorite producers are La Fortuna, Villa Le Prata and Banfi. My favorite experience was opening up a 1995 Banfi Brunello Poggio d’Oro when with good friends the night my daughter came home from the hospital when she was born in 2005. It was incredible. Miss buying great brunellos for 20-30 dollars.

If you have not tried them, I highly recommend Sangiovese de Emilia Romagna. THey dont get the publicity here in the US (or in Italy for that matter) but they are really good. Recommend Castellucio (Ronco di Ginestre/Ronco di Ciliegi) followed by San Valentino as producers.
June 17, 2008

laposte
QOTD:

For my son’s 23 birthday this past May I set out a 1993 Bondi Santi to take with us to dinner. We told him he should invite a couple friends… he asked a couple that were my age rather than his own…he didn’t think any of his friends would truly appreciate a good brunello.
June 17, 2008

Darlene O.
Hey, Gary! Love blind tasting episodes! They’re killer! QOD: ‘Don’t have one yet’….:}
June 17, 2008

BobMac
QotD: No story yet.
June 17, 2008

Dave M.
Never had one..Thanks to you I will
June 17, 2008

Jesse C.
Hey Gary,

Just wanted to say congratulations on your show and bringing so much wine insight to casual wine enthusiasts like myself. It truly is appreciated and one of the highlights of my day here in Korea.

Keep up the good work!
ì•„ì‹¸ (Ah-sa; I don’t know the exact translation but it is similar to awesome)
June 17, 2008

KVolk
Qotd: Don’t have one yet……….
June 17, 2008

espressokev
i don’t have one yet
June 17, 2008

pete c
QOTD- have ‘04 La Rasina Rosso di Montalcino. Loved the wine and rarely buy a case, but bought 2. Almost gone, but for the $16 was a very good addition to the cellar.
June 17, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: Had a few Brunellos–don’t remember their names, but I do know I enjoyed all of them. I’ll pay closer attention when I try some from the cellar and maybe I’ll have a story to tell.
June 17, 2008

Big Mac
No story. But, I couldn’t resist not saying something about your charred steak comment. Wow, way to KILL the meat!!! Medium rare, and medium rare only. A hot dog, maybe charred, but steak? Wow, really shocked. Can’t wait to watch you on Rev 3!
June 17, 2008

Sep
I’ve had a number of brunello wines, but there’s no real story yet.
June 17, 2008

Fabs
I was given a ‘01 Brunelli as gift last year.
Been wondering when I should open it?
June 17, 2008

vivaitalia
Love the blind episodes, definitely keep them coming. I’d really love to see a double blind (i’m sure many feel the same) just to see your reactions to wines with no preconceived notions at all involved. My best story involving Brunello would probably be the time I really learned how mood and environment came effect your perception of a wine. I was at this bar owned by a fellow wine lover and we were watching the Giants Super Bowl victory and we were having a great time watching the Patriots go down. He brought me a glass of wine and I didn’t even ask what it was. It tasted like the best wine i’ve ever had in my life. It was silky smooth on the palate and gobs of ripe fruit balanced nicely with earth tones and finishing with a great spiciness. I asked him what it was and was shocked to see a label reading Col d’orcia 2000 brunello di montalcino. I had bought that same wine a few months early and absolutely hated it. Half of the bottle went down the drain. The best Brunello i’ve ever had was surprisingly a 2001 Banfi Brunello. It was the first one i’d ever had and I was amazed at the full body and silky texture which i’d never experienced in an Italian wine before. The 2001 Salicutti Rosso di Montalcino is even better than any Brunello i’ve ever tried.