Friday, April 01, 2005

Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 1999 (NW)

Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 1999:
Tight, so we decanted
Patiently nursed it in our glasses for two hours as it opened up- and it was continuing to evolve
Big rich, spicey, nose
Warm and flavorful on the palate
Layers of spice, berries, cherry, smoke, cocoa, earth
Long, long finish

Awesome wine! A rare treat! Our dinner guests surprised us with this outstanding bottle of Brunello to pair with a homemade Timballo. We decanted and waited...and waited for the flavors to emerge. But it was well worth it! If you are going to enjoy this wine, plan ahead and let it breath. (This goes for many other big, earthy Italian reds, too, such as Borolos, Barbarescos, and Super-Tuscans. I was once at a professionally-arranged wine tasting and they poured the Italian reds in everyone's glasses a full three hours before the scheduled event).

The dinner guests outdid themselves with this wine. It sells for approximately $65 in stores and is often one of the top offerings in Italian restaurants at double this price. Banfi has set the standard for consistency in Montalcino, Italy, as they produce good wines every year and great wines in great years. Look for 1997 and 1999, if possible.

Raise a glass to this small, hill-top town in Tuscany and the powerful juice it produces! By the way, I looked up the 1999 Banfi and Wine Spectator gave it 94 points!

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