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close-grained that leave a firm, rather drying finish.
Vignaioli Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $130
89
Palazzo 2010 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino).
Truffle, underbrush, mature plum,
saddle leather and a balsamic note emerge on this
robust red. The hearty, one-dimensional palate
delivers dried black cherry, licorice and grilled herb
alongside solid if not very persistent tannins. You’ll
also notice the heat of alcohol on the rather quick,
drying finish. Bedford International. —K.O.
abv: 15% Price: $80
89
PianCornello 2011 Brunello di Montalcino.
Scorched soil, toasted oak, dried sage and
roasted coffee bean aromas lead the nose. The
approachable, full-bodied palate offers dried cherry,
espresso and a hint of clove alongside fine-grained
tannins. Drink sooner rather than later to capture
the remaining fruit. Superior Wines. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $80
89
Tassi 2010 Franci Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino).
Aromas of ripe plum, clove, sage,
a whiff of violet and a balsamic note lead the nose.
The round, hearty palate is more monolithic than
the nose suggests, doling out mature black cherry,
licorice and the searing heat of evident alcohol.
Firm velvety tannins provide support. K&L Wine
Merchants. —K.O.
abv: 15%
Price: $NA
89
Tenuta Vitanza 2011 Andretta (Brunello di
Montalcino). A subdued nose slowly reveals
underbrush, clove, new leather and balsamic aromas.
The firm hearty, palate shows dried Marasca
cherry, raw cranberry, coffee, grilled sage and a hint
of star anise alongside assertive, fine grained tannins
that grip the finish. Drink 2018–2023. GP Imports.
—K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $60
89
Val di Suga 2010 Poggio al Granchio (Brunello
di Montalcino). Aromas of black-skinned
berry marinated in spirits, dark spice, chopped herb
and a balsamic note emerge in the glass. The robust
assertive palate offers dried sour cherry, powdered
sage and star anise alongside a backbone of bracing,
mouth-drying tannins that grip the finish. Give this
a few more years to soften, then drink up to capture
the remaining fruit. Palm Bay International. —K.O.
abv: 15% Price: $99
88
Baccinetti 2011 Saporaia (Brunello di Montalcino).
This opens with aromas of toast,
prune, scorched earth and chopped mint. The juicy
palate offers dried black cherry, star anise and a
hint of sweet baking spice alongside supple tannins.
Straightforward and already approachable, it
will offer enjoyable sipping in the near term. Drink
through 2020. Premier Wine Co. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $45
88
Bonacchi 2011 Molino del Piano (Brunello di
Montalcino). This medium-bodied red opens
with subtle aromas suggesting underbrush, leather
and pressed violet. The soft round palate offers ripe
black cherry and a hint of baking spice alongside pliant
tannins. It’s easygoing and already approachable.
Drink through 2019. Tri-Vin Imports. —K.O.
abv: 13.5%
Price: $NA
88
Bonacchi 2011 Molino della Suga (Brunello di
Montalcino). Wild berry, purple flower and
sunbaked earth aromas come together on this. The
medium-bodied palate offers dried black cherry,
coffee and a hint of star anise alongside polished,
fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2020. Prestige
Beverage Group. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $36
88
Brunelli Martoccia 2010 Riserva (Brunello
di Montalcino). Eucalyptus, forest floor,
new leather and dark spice aromas swirl around in
the glass. The full-bodied forward palate is already
approaching its peak drinking window, offering
dried black cherry and star anise alongside soft
acidity and solid tannins. Drink through 2022.
August Wine Group. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $80
88
Cencioni Patrizia 2011 Brunello di Montalcino.
Aromas of coconut, exotic spice and menthol
lead the nose while the full-bodied palate displays
dark cherry, pomegranate, vanilla, a hint of
licorice and a confectionery note. You’ll also detect
the warmth of alcohol on the firm finish. Arte Vino.
—K.O.
abv: 14.5%
Price: $NA
88
Corte Pavone 2011 Brunello di Montalcino.
This has subdued aromas suggesting
charred soil, underbrush and toast. The robust onedimensional
palate shows dried black cherry, cranberry,
a note of star anise and the heat of evident
alcohol. Solid tannins provide the framework. Drink
sooner rather than later before the fruit disappears.
Noble Grape Wines. —K.O.
abv: 15% Price: $78
88
Ferrero 2010 Riserva (Brunello di Montalcino).
Underbrush, grilled porcini mushroom,
cured meat and grilled herb aromas take shape
in the glass. The brawny palate offers raisin, cherrymarinated-in
spirits, licorice and a confectionery
note alongside firm fine-grained tannins. You’ll also
notice the heat of evident alcohol that throws it off
balance. Bacchanal Wine Imports. —K.O.
abv: 15% Price: $100
88
Kirkland Signature 2011 Signature Series
(Brunello di Montalcino). For full review see
page 20.
abv: 14.5% Price: $25
88
Mocali 2011 Brunello di Montalcino. Scorched
soil, toasted oak, dried sage and roasted coffee
bean aromas lead the nose. The approachable
full-bodied palate offers dried cherry, espresso and
a hint of clove alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink
sooner rather than later to capture the remaining
fruit. Skurnik Wines, Inc. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $40
88
Uggiano 2010 Brunello di Montalcino. Forest
floor, dark-skinned berry, clove and sage
aromas emerge in the glass. The juicy straightforward
palate offers wild cherry extract, anise and a
hint of pipe tobacco alongside chewy tannins. Drink
2018–2023. Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $30
87
Bonacchi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino. Aromas
of fragrant blue flower and wild berry
waft out of the glass. The easygoing no-frills palate
offers juicy wild cherry and a hint of baking
spice alongside supple tannins. It’s enjoyable but
already accessible and extremely straightforward
by Brunello standards. Drink through 2019. Prestige
Beverage Group. —K.O.
abv: 13.5% Price: $35
87
La Collina dei Lecci 2010 Riserva (Brunello
di Montalcino). Aromas of dry underbrush,
toast, oak and eucalyptus lead the nose. The palate
is already quite evolved, offering dried red cherry,
espresso and a hint of anise alongside close-grained
tannins that dry out the rather abrupt finish. Drink
sooner rather than later. Monsieur Touton Selection
Ltd. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $52
87
Renieri 2011 Brunello di Montalcino. This
opens with an unusual combination of aromas
including resin, cured meat, raisin, game and
grilled herb. The aromas carry over to the evolved,
one-dimensional palate along with raspberry jam
and chewy tannins. It’s already approachable, so
drink over the next few years. Michelangelo Selections.
—K.O.
abv: 14.5%
Price: $NA
87
Sommavite 2010 Brunello di Montalcino.
You’ll find aromas of wild berry, violet and
a touch of leather in this wine. Straightforward by
Brunello standards, the medium-bodied no-frills
palate offers dried cherry and dark baking spice
alongside solid tannins. It has a rather abrupt finish.
Drink through 2020. Latitude Wines, Inc. —K.O.
abv: 14%
Price: $NA
86
Castellani 2010 Brunaio (Brunello di Montalcino).
Leafy underbrush, sunbaked earth and
a toasted note lead the way. The lean one-dimensional
palate is a bit shy on freshness, offering dried
sour cherry, raisin and a hint of dark spice alongside
dusty, not very persistent tannins. Drink sooner
rather than later to capture the remaining fruit. Latitude
Wines, Inc. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $40
86
Fanti 2010 Vigna Le Macchiarelle Riserva
(Brunello di Montalcino). Aromas of toast,
80 | WINE ENTHUSIAST | MARCH 2017