Well, it's the first Saturday of a new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday! It's that magical time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making to see how it's developed along it's journey. Tonight I've taken a couple of cheats on my decade, first I've selected a Brunello, which by Italian law must be aged in barrel for six years, and then in bottle a further six months before release. So, such a wine is already 65% of the way to a decade on release day! Second, I recently bought some of this wine from Wines Till Sold Out, so I let them do a little of the aging for me! The 2012 Molino della Suga Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a 100% Sangiovese Grosso (another requirement of Italian law), and Brunellos are usually just hitting their stride at the 10-year mark, so let's see how this one is tasting!
The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, with nice clarity, just as you might expect from the varietal. Take a whiff and you're greeted with aromas of dried flowers, ripe cherry and plum, with hints of vanilla and anise. Take a sip and you're immediately transported to the Tuscan countryside, with layers of dried herbs, ripe cherry and some earthy notes of tobacco and graphite, which ease into some black pepper spice and a hint of thyme midpalate. The tannins are a bit tight at first, but gradually open up for a velvety mouthfeel leading into a smooth dry finish.
Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a very pleasant and easy drinking Brunello that is just hitting its stride. This wine would pair well with classic Tuscan dishes, such as Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, pappardelle with a traditional ragu, ribollita, or a simple platter of salami and cheeses. Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Trader Joe's Cacio e Pepe ravioli with carpaccio truffle cream sauce, the spice of this wine is a perfect foil for the richness of the truffles. Cheers!
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