2006 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles the senses with a seductive bouquet of dusty roses and violets, nuances of sesame, brown spice and dried black cherries. It’s a model of elegance, with silken textures and depths of tart red berry fruit elevated by cooling acidity as crisp mineral tones add a refreshing sensation toward the close. Tart cranberry enlivens the senses through the long and remarkably fresh finish as gently grippy tannins linger alongside a vivid black licorice twang. The 2006 is in a lovely place in its evolution and shows no fear of fading. This is also an interesting case where the Brunello of the house has matured a bit more gracefully than the Riserva.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino appears too focused on oak. It is as if the soft berry fruit, spice and earthy aromas associated with Sangiovese have melted away over the years, leaving dusty wood notes exposed instead. The aromas are toasted and dry, and the tannins show a granular, open-knit quality. All of this gives the wine a monotone effect when appreciated today. The mouthfeel is lean and fine. In my discussion with the winemaking team, I discovered that an order of new oak barrels was initiated in this vintage. These results make sense.
Il Poggione’s 2006 Brunello di Montalcino was another stunner. The Fransceschi family and long-time winemaker Fabrizio Bindocci and his son Alessandro do such a fabulous job with these wines. Yes, the Riserva is also terrific, but on this day the straight 2006 Brunello dazzled. Layered, rich and explosive, the 2006 conquered all of the senses with its marvelous depth and pure power. Readers lucky enough to own the 2006 probably want to cellar the wine for at least a few years. This was a fabulous showing.
Lovely fragrant, lifted nose and plenty of firm, dark fruit. Very typical – the acidity, power and tannin is all in place – but there are better Chiantis at this price.
About the producer
Il Poggione is one of Montalcino’s largest but most respected estates, with a reputation for producing some of the most reliable, best-value and age-worthy Brunello di Montalcino.