Tasting #3 Brunello di Montalcino Collosorbo 2017
WL: 4.8
Complex and beautiful Italian red vintage. A favorite. We bought the last two bottles at restaurant/market store we found on a weekend trip.
My sincere apologies go out to the fine Italian restaurant in Baltimore, MD, Cinghiale. Unfortunately, it seems fate conspired against me that evening, orchestrating a comedic series of events that no doubt left the restaurant staff gossiping for a few days. There were a series of events that occurred before our dinner leading mostly likely to my predicament I found myself in. Think of it like a build up: a seafood lunch, heavy traffic, a storm front, and the anxiety of missing a $200 Shen Yun concert. I made it to the bathroom and remember coming back to the table but just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, there I was, performing an impromptu "salmon-colored napkin regurgitation symphony" with gusto.
Amidst my not-so-elegant display, I'm sure I managed to plead for multiple times for an ambulance, however, they were ignored by Salem, perhaps sensing my thespian potential, decided to spare me the dramatic flair of an emergency call.
However, dear readers, let's not dwell on my misfortune alone. In the midst of this comedy of errors, a true gem emerged—a shining savior known as Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino. If you have a penchant for the heavy tannins of Barolo, Chianti, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, this wine will surely tickle your taste buds and leave you yearning for an encore.
Blessed with a sommelier who possessed impeccable guidance and odd habit of tasting patron’s wine before serving (she said many people don’t know what a corked wine taste like), we discovered a hidden treasure within Cinghiale's cellar. And so, the following weekend, like ardent wine detectives, we stumbled upon the bottles we so desired in a restaurant/wine market, managing to snatch the last two remaining. Victory was ours, or at least a couple of bottles of Brunello, which is practically the same thing.
We hope to return to Cinghiale and enjoy their brilliance of their wine selection and remarkable menu. Cheers to wine, laughter, and a salmon-colored napkin that may forever hold a place in restaurant folklore!
About Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is a wine region located in Tuscany, Italy. Known for producing some of Italy's top red wines. Here are some key details about the wines from Brunello di Montalcino:
Grape Variety: The sole grape variety used to produce Brunello di Montalcino is Sangiovese Grosso, a clone of the Sangiovese grape. Known locally as "Brunello," this particular clone is prized for its exceptional quality and ability to express the region's terroir.
Terroir: The region's unique terroir plays a significant role in shaping the character of Brunello di Montalcino wines. The vineyards are situated on the slopes surrounding the town of Montalcino, where the altitudes, diverse microclimates, and the influence of the nearby Montalcino hills contribute to the wines' distinctiveness.
Aging Requirements: Brunello di Montalcino wines are subject to strict aging regulations. They must be aged for a minimum of five years, with at least two years in oak barrels and four months in the bottle before release. For the esteemed "Riserva" designation, the wines require a total aging period of six years.
Flavor Profile: Brunello di Montalcino wines are renowned for their depth, complexity, and ability to age gracefully. They typically display intense aromas of red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, alongside floral notes, herbs, and spices. With age, the wines develop additional layers of flavors, including earthy nuances, leather, tobacco, and hints of balsamic.
Structure and Aging Potential: Brunello di Montalcino wines are known for their robust structure, with firm tannins and a solid backbone of acidity. While they can be enjoyed in their youth, they truly shine after several years of cellaring when the tannins soften. Well-aged Brunello di Montalcino wines can easily last for decades, evolving into incredibly complex and elegant expressions.
Prestige and Recognition: Brunello di Montalcino has widely considered one of Italy's most prestigious wine regions. It holds the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status, the highest quality classification in Italy's wine hierarchy.
Wine Tasting Notes: The 2017 Collosorbo Notes Brunello di Montalcino
Producer: Brunello di Montalcino Collosorbo
Region: Italy/Tuscany/Brunello di Montalcino
Vintage: 2017
Grape: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 14.5%
Notes (Salem): Amazing expression of montalicino. Complex, balanced, beautiful. Notes of licorice, dry, earth, tobacco, and wood in a hot sun.
(Priscilla) On the palate, the high tannin felt heavy on my tongue. Bold fruit flavors of raspberry, cherry, and jam. Lively earth and leather notes with spice. Long finish.
WL: 4.8