Brunello di Montalcino was long “plagued by a scandal that wouldn’t go away,” said Eric Asimov in The New York Times. By law, Brunello must be made from 100 percent Sangiovese grapes, but many makers were accused of introducing other grape varieties. The inquiry ended with makers voting to retain the 100 percent decree. We recently tasted 20 bottles from the 2004 vintage that fit the bill, and these stood out.
Conti Costanti Brunello di Monalcino 2004 (Italy, $75).
This “elegant” wine epitomizes Brunello di Montalcino, with “pure, focused bitter-cherry flavors buttressed by an underlying earthiness.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Le Potazzine (Gorelli) Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (Italy, $70). Complex yet “light-bodied,” this wine has mineral notes and an enjoyably spicy bitter-cherry flavor.
Pertimali di Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (Italy, $70). Intense but “graceful, with bright cherry and mineral flavors.”
-
Gold tops $4K per ounce, signaling financial uneaseSpeed Read Investors are worried about President Donald Trump’s trade war
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-offSpeed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
October 8 editorial cartoonsCartoons Wednesday’s political cartoons include evidence* of what causes autism, Donald Trump's enemy within and a CBS sacrifice
