2010 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
Col d'Orcia has an impressive library of old vintages. It was an honor for me to travel back in time thanks to this vertical tasting organized by Count Francesco Marone Cinzano and his son Santiago. The Col d'Orcia 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is drinking beautifully right now. Indeed, these wines tend to be less expressive upon their commercial release, so you need to give them their due time. This vintage is resolved and structured. It wraps smoothly over the palate with dark fruit tones, spice and dried violet. The winemaking team has been shortening maceration times over the years to obtain softer tannins. They are implementing softer extraction methods and more delicate cap management. In the bottle for 10 years, this wine shows superb complexity with spicy tobacco and dried fruit.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Col d'Orcia's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vendemmia is all finesse. Sweet floral and spiced notes open up in the glass, followed by veins of bright red stone fruits. Hints of orange peel and white pepper add an attractive, beguiling upper register of aromatics. The 2010 is still a bit raw and much less expressive than it was from barrel, but it is promising.
Mid ruby with orange tinges. Tight, herbal Sangiovese nose and quite soft, round fruit on the palate with a hit of grainy, bitter tannins on the finish. Fragrant finish and just a little rustic. (WS)
The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is surprisingly subdued on first nose and a little unsteady on its feet at this young stage. Give it time and the wine gracefully brings out a long chorus line of aromas that hit the high notes and well and the low ones in slow increments. The bouquet is redolent of small forest berry, white ash, smoke, licorice, balsam herb and delicate spice. It's important to underline the extremely elegant and feminine personality of this wine. This Brunello has no place to go but up in terms of its complexity and evolution. Put it aside for at least five more years before popping the cork. Feb 2015, www.robertparker.com