2006 Renieri Brunello di Montalcino

Happy Saturday!  And of course this being the first Saturday of a new month and new year, it's Cellar Saturday, when I get to dig out a bottle to enjoy from the cellar that's at least a vintage 10 years ago!  Tonight, I've decided to finally open a bottle of Brunello that I've had in my cellar for a number of years (after all, you know you can't really enjoy a Brunello until it's at least 10 years old!), the 2006 Renieri Brunello di Montalcino.  So after decanting, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a beautiful purple garnet in the glass, with just the faintest hint of brown along the edges.  The nose is replete with aromas of leather, plum and violet, with just a hint of pepper spice.  The taste brings be back to late summer in Tuscany, with a bright rush of ripe plum and currant up front, that transitions nicely to some notes of dried herbs and just a hint of mint midpalate.  The finish is wonderful, with elegantly structured tannins that provide for a wonderfully long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, it's a wonderful Brunello that's just starting to come into its own (it will no doubt improve and evolve with additional years in the cellar).  This wine would be a perfect complement to a variety of classic Tuscan dishes, from pasta fagioli to tagliatelle al tartufo to a classic bistecca fiorentina, and of course I'm going the latter route tonight, enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime ribcap and broccoli rabe sauteed with garlic and olive oil.  Salut!