WCC Pre-2000 Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Tasting
Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY, 12/1/2016

My Albany-area group (the Wine Collectors Club) got together to taste Pre-2000 Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti at the Fort Orange Club in Albany. Dinner began around 7:30pm and ended around 10pm. This tasting was not blind.

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A surprise first course: A scallop with a slice of chorizo on top and hummus on bottom.


Flight 1: Older Brunello di Montalcino
Pappardelle Fromage: Oyster and cremini mushrooms, Reggiano parmesan, baby arugula, black truffle oil, overnight tomato, basil.
  1. 1988 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Smoky, floral, red & black fruit nose. Ripe red fruit in the mouth. Tart and juicy. Simple. (88 points)
  2. 1990 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 6pm.] Big smoky nose. Rich, juicy, but a touch dirty. More advanced than the 1992. An off bottle? (NR)
  3. 1992 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 2pm.] Muted nose of chocolate and red fruit. Tasty and surprisingly fresh for a '92. (89 points)
  4. 1990 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 6pm.] Smoky nose of red fruit. Delicious. Long and complex. Easily the wine of the flight. (92 points)

Flight 2: Late 1990's Chianti
Braised Duck Leg Confit with butternut squash risotto, duck glace, grilled Belgian endive.
  1. 1997 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
    [Double-decanted at noon.] Big smoky cherries in the nose. Long, juicy, but a bit simple. (91 points)
  2. 1997 Tomaiolo Chianti Classico Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
    [Double-decanted at noon.] Red fruit nose. Rich, sweet fruit. Tasty. (92 points)
  3. 1997 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
    [Double-decanted at 6pm.] Big nose of black fruit and spice. Rich and balanced. Juicy and complex. (92 points)
  4. 1999 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius - Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
    [Double-decanted at 6pm.] Very similar to the 97, but just a bit richer and more complex. Wine of the flight. (93 points)

Flight 3: 1997 Brunello di Montalcino
Wild Boar Stew with cipollini onions, baby carrots, fingerling potatoes, turnips.
  1. 1997 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 8:30am.] Big ripe juicy. Thick and rich. (92 points)
  2. 1997 Querceta Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    Licorice and red fruit nose. Ripe, tasty, and complex. (93 points)
  3. 1997 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Sweet juicy simple, but eminently drinkable. (90 points)
  4. 1997 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Sweet, ripe, juicy. Has a depth and complexity that most of the others don't. Wine of the flight. (94 points)
  5. 1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Still a bit young. Oak is showing. Coffee and cherry vanilla. (91 points)

Flight 4: Late 1990's Brunello di Montalcino
Cheese Plate (Family Style): Baguettes, fig jam, grapes, Aged Hard Provolone, Fontinella, Pecorino Toscana, Boschetto al Tartufo.
  1. 1998 Tenuta Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    Mature, chocolate and dirt. (85 points)
  2. 1999 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at noon.] Interesting. Good length. Surprisingly rough tannins. I don't see that this has the fruit for these tannins. (89 points)
  3. 1995 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    [Double-decanted at 5pm.] Sadly, an off bottle. (NR)

Dessert
Pistachio Gelato. Petit fours for sharing.


Summary

Consistent with my previous experience, Sangiovese makes nice, drinkable wines, but rarely really complex wines.


Notes posted from CellarTracker.


WOTN Voting (3pts each for #1, 2pts for #2, 1pt for #3)

RankPts#Wine
1(tie)11111997 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa
1(tie)11131997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
39101997 Querceta Brunello di Montalcino
4891997 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Brunello di Montalcino
5781999 Fattoria Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva Lucius
65121997 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino
7(tie)411988 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino
7(tie)461997 Tomaiolo Chianti Classico Riserva
9(tie)321990 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
9(tie)3151999 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano


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