2006 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
Black tea leaves mix with balsamic spices, cocoa, plum sauce and sage as the dramatic 2006 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass. Pure elegance defines the palate, velvety smooth with a mocha tinge that provides the sensation of molten chocolate smoothing over the palate as masses of black cherry and autumnal spice settle on the senses. This leaves an array of the sweetest tannins imaginable, offset by a slight wild berry twang and finishing long on a note of refinement.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino flows with gorgeous layers of dark red fruit. This is one of the more muscular, virile wines of the vintage. Slow to reveal its character, the Valdicava Brunello will require significant patience, but I have seen the wine blossom beautifully, even in the smallest of vintages. A blast of iron, smoke, tar, licorice and new leather inform the deep, intense finish. This is a hugely promising, brilliant Brunello from proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese, but it needs to be buried in the cellar for at least a few years. Readers who can't wait should open the wine a few hours in advance, which will allow the fruit to emerge.
The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino flows with gorgeous layers of dark red fruit. This is one of the more muscular, virile wines of the vintage. Slow to reveal its character, the Valdicava Brunello will require significant patience, but I have seen the wine blossom beautifully, even in the smallest of vintages. A blast of iron, smoke, tar, licorice and new leather inform the deep, intense finish. This is a hugely promising, brilliant Brunello from proprietor Vincenzo Abbruzzese, but it needs to be buried in the cellar for at least a few years. Readers who can’t wait should open the wine a few hours in advance, which will allow the fruit to emerge. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031. My visit with Vincenzo Abbruzzese was instructive, as always. His may very well be the most consistently outstanding wines in vintages 2006-2010. I was especially struck by a lone tank of 2010 Brunello from Montosoli, a wine that will probably ultimately be blended into the straight Brunello, but that in my view has more than enough pedigree to merit its own bottling. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907
Very decadent and rich. This is long and powerful wine. The finish lasts for minutes on the palate with decadent fruit, spices, and hints of meat. I love this and it is only a barrel sample. I can't wait to taste it out of a bottle. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com