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2019 Tuscany Preview
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Mar 2022
This preview article focuses on a number of new releases ahead of my comprehensive reports on coastal Tuscany and Chianti Classico scheduled for later this year. Most of the wines are from the 2019 vintage, which is revealing itself to be full of surprises, in the best sense of the term. A continued move towards more nuanced winemaking throughout Tuscany really comes through in the best of these wines.
The Pros and Cons of Rosso di Montalcino and Beyond
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Jan 2022
As I continue to taste through the 2017 Brunellos, the importance and possibilities of Rosso di Montalcino are more evident now than ever before. Rosso provides a great opportunity to take a peek at the Brunello vintages that are on the way, even if that approach is not without its pitfalls, as I explain in this article. It’s time to take a look at the 2019 and 2020 Rossos that are entering the market.
Looking Back to Look Forward: Back Vintage Brunello
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Jan 2022
We buy Brunello for the cellar, to watch it mature into glorious wines befitting of the region’s reputation. However, we seldom talk about these mature beauties in the same manner as we do the wines of Bordeaux or Barolo, which is a shame, because the best of Brunello can and does stand the test of time.
Montepulciano, Carmignano and Montecucco: New Releases
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Dec 2021
It’s time to veer off the beaten path and focus on many of the hidden gems found throughout the towns of Tuscany. We’re not talking about Chianti Classico or Montalcino today. Instead, we’re looking at some of the greatest values in wine that have yet to be truly discovered, and each with a unique stamp of regional character.
Jekyll and Hyde: 2017 Brunello di Montalcino and 2016 Riservas
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Dec 2021
January 2022 marks the official release of 2017 Brunello and 2016 Riservas, two vintages that couldn’t possibly be more different. While the Riserva category has received its share of criticism over time, and the 2017 vintage has been called one of the worst in recent memory, readers would be doing themselves a serious disservice by not checking out what Montalcino has in store for us in the New Year. It’s time to think outside of the box.
Cellar Favorite: 2012 Pian dell'Orino Rosso di Montalcino
Cellar Journal, Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite
, Nov 2021
Caroline Pobitzer and Jan Erbach came to Montalcino with the greatest wines of Gianfranco Soldera and Piero Palmucci of Poggio di Sotto in mind.
Cellar Favorite: 1969 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
Cellar Favorites, Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite
, Oct 2021
Monsanto’s 1969 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio was a very pleasant surprise after a long day of visits and tastings. Monsanto is one of the historic estates of Chianti Classico.
Chianti Classico and Beyond – 2018 & 2019
featured, Italy: Tuscany
, Sep 2021
I was thrilled to get back to Chianti Classico this past summer. It was my first tasting trip to Italy in two years. Much has changed, for obvious reasons, but some things haven’t, chief among them my long-held belief that these are some of the greatest sites in the world.
Cellar Favorite: 2015 Soldera Sangiovese
Cellar Favorites, Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite
, May 2021
Tasting the 2015 Soldera Sangiovese brings back so many memories of tasting the wine from cask with Gianfranco Soldera prior to his passing in 2019. The routine was always the same.
Cellar Favorite: 2011 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino
Cellar Favorites, Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite
, Apr 2021
After the tragic passing of proprietor Lionel Cousin, I found myself digging through my cellar for past vintages of his lovely creation, the Cupano Brunello di Montalcino.