Report from: Benvenuto Brunello 2016 – February 19, 2016

The interesting part about Brunello is that it is not a one-size fits all wine and there are so many different styles to choose from: classic Brunello with its old world charm, modern Brunello with its high alcohol and big fruit and then there are Aussie-style Brunello that have gobs of fruit and wood and spice; what a fellow writer called “for the North American palate” (funny part is, he was from North America).

Today 127 producers showed off their wares from the 2011 vintage, plus the 2010 Riserva and a number of other wines – without getting too in-depth 127 producers with a minimum of two wines to taste equals 254 – and that’s not taking into account single vineyard offerings, Rossos and any other specialty wine they wanted to showcase; and with only a day to taste one must make hard choices of what to specialize in … I chose the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino.

Below are some of my selections (based on the wines I tried – looking at the above numbers and the time restraints, I hope you would agree with me when I say, one just can’t do ‘em all):

All Brunellos are from the 2011 vintage and in alphabetical order within the rating

(All scoring is out of 5 stars)

Three-and-a-Half Stars …

Lisini 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

San Polo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Sesti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Tenuta Crocedimezzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Val di Suga 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Val di Suga”

Three-and-a-Half PLUS Stars …

Antinori 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Pian delle Vigne”

Carpineto 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Col D’Orcia 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Il Poggione 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

La Gerla 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Mocali 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Palazzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Poggio Il Castellare 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Tenuta San Giorgio 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Ugolforte”

Tiezzi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Poggio Cerrino”

Vasco Sassetti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Villa Poggio Salvi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Four Stars …

Banfi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino “Castello Banfi”

Barbi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Brunelli 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Caparzo 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Fattoi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Le Chiuse 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Poggio Antico 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Talenti 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Villa I Cipressi 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Four PLUS Stars …

Argiano 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Campogiovanni 2011 Brunello di Montalcino

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