1997 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli
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Tasting notes
Compared to the lackluster base Brunello for the same vintage, the 1997 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva springs to life in spectacular style. This is a bold and brooding wine, but not over the top, with toasted oak, moist earth, leather, cola, licorice and anise seed all thrown in to the layered bouquet. Cherry liqueur and dried cranberry lingers in the back adding fruity tones and vigor. This is a generous and giving wine that should maintain this high level of performance for many more years. Give the wine up to four hours in the decanter. Drink: 2014-2030.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 1997 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a powerful yet sleek wine. Pretty aromas of smoke and earthiness lead to a ripe, vibrant expression of fruit. The wine shows tremendous depth and concentration, not to mention superb overall balance. Spring hail caused some damage in the vineyards and naturally limited yields. August saw some rain, but then September was warmer than normal. The 1997 has a lot of style, but Bindocci says 1999 is a better vintage. The 1997 was the first vintage of the Riserva to be aged in smaller 33 and 52 hectoliter French oak barrels made by Italian cooper Gamba. By this time Piero Talenti's health issues had begun taking a toll and he was present only sporadically.
Medium red. Tight aromas of currant, coffee and licorice, complicated by a hint of exotic fruit. Rich, sweet, concentrated and pliant, with a suggestion of apricot and strong spiciness. A broad, structured, densely packed Brunello that finishes ripely tannic and very long.
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.