1999 Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiola
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino is exceptional. One of the most dazzling, captivating wines in this vertical, the 1999 possesses fabulous textural depth allied to energy. The aromatics are just beginning to show the first signs of tertiary nuance, while the vibrant, saline finish suggests the 1999 still has plenty to say. Readers lucky enough to own the 1999 can look forward to another decade-plus of superb drinking.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Attilio Pagli - Giulio Salvioni’s consulting winemaker - and I are not entirely in agreement about the 1999 Brunello di Montalcino. I consider it potentially the best in the history of the house, while Pagli continues to hold out for the 1987. Salvioni himself prefers to remain above the fray and appears to be staking his bets on 2001. Be that as it may - and wouldn’t it be nice if more wines triggered off discussions of this type? - this is a stunning bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, deep ruby-garnet in color, powerful, sweet and expansive on the nose with ripe plum and wild cherry fruit and lovely notes of rosemary and leather, packed and polished in flavor, solid, supple, long, and complete. A wine which will still be drinking well in 2020, but already hard to resist. Importer: Vias, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-3095
Saturated ruby. High-toned, port-like aromas of strawberry and raspberry liqueur. Hugely rich and concentrated, with dense, superripe, heavily extracted flavors of kirsch, dark berries, minerals and chocolate. (The 1998 version also showed a port-like ripeness. ) Boasts surprising freshness and verve for such a massive wine. Builds impressively on the back end, finishing with big but even tannins that saturate every nook and cranny of the palate. Lay this one down for five or six years.