2007 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra

The estate’s 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra 1500 emerges from the glass with endless layers of fruit. A pure, voluptuous 2007, the Bassolino di Sopra 1500 is rich, round and seamless. Deeply spiced notes develop in the glass as the wine shows off its striking personality. I am not a huge fan of extended time in oak for wines of such purity, but the 2007 handles its 48 months in barrel quite nicely, although it is naturally shaped by its aging regime, especially from a textural perspective. The 2007 is made exclusively from the estate’s holdings in Pian Bossolino, but that site has also been trademarked by another winery, hence the slight name variation here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. It is amazing how far Pian dell’Orino has come in just a few years. Proprietors Jan Erbach and Caroline Pobitzer own what is now one of the very top estates in Montalcino, hands down. Tasting the wines from barrel is an amazing experience equaled by visits in only a handful of top domaines in the world. In this cellar, Sangiovese boasts striking finesse and crystalline purity. Jan Erbach describes 2008 as a difficult year, with rain during the flowering and significant disease pressure. Conditions improved during September and into early October, when the last of the fruit came in. Yields are down 40% across the board. I still think the straight Brunello is the best wine at Pian dell’Orino. Going forward, Pian dell’Orino will no longer issue a Riserva, but when conditions allow will release single-vineyard designates. The fruit is so pure here, I am not sure that extended aging in oak is really necessary. Readers who haven’t discovered Pian dell’Orino are in for a treat. Importer: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404