Tag Archives: 2012

Siro Pacenti Brunello

Siro Pacenti New Arrival!

June 2017

A Master of Modern Brunello

“Giancarlo Pacenti is by far the leading exponent of the modern school of Brunello di Montalcino. No other producer has succeeded in crafting wines of this much textural beauty and refinement.” – Antonio Galloni

“Giancarlo Pacenti is the best winemaker in the appellation of Brunello di Montalcino. Everything is done in the best possible way and at the right time in his well-kept vineyards and the pristine small winery under his house. His Brunellos are usually a blend of different vineyards from both the south and north sides of the Montalcino hill, giving them great richness and structure as well as freshness. They are aged in French oak barrels yet show very little wood character, and their crystal clear style is one that ages extremely well.” – James Suckling (Wine Spectator)

If you like modern-leaning Brunello (Altesino, Casanova di Neri, Caparzo, etc) we have the next wine for you to freak out over. The 2012 Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli has arrived and it looks to be a stunner. This is a Brunello that has power and richness but a deft hand with oak, so the elegance of the Sangiovese grape still comes through. We also have the best price in the country, so we should probably just cut to the chase:

Siro Pacenti PS Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $38 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92 points “Deep red with ruby tinges. Delicately flinty and herbal notes complicate sour red cherry, redcurrant and underbrush aromas. Fresh and juicy but with an almost austere quality to the crisp red berry and minty plum flavors. Finishes long and clean with a mineral nuance. The herbal note disappears with aeration, so it’s of paramount importance to give this wine plenty of air. Pacenti makes 20,000 bottles a year of this Brunello from 25 to 35 year old vines with roughly 75-80% of the grapes grown in the northern Pellagrilli estate vineyards and the rest from the Piancornello vineyards in the southern reaches Montalcino.”

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2012 5-24-17

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2012

Most Brunello collectors buy either traditional or modern examples with the exception of a few wines whose appeal seems to transcend stylistic categories. These wines are the real ‘collectible’ Brunelli—there’s always going to be a market for them. In that category, Il Poggione manages to be unique. It’s a wine that’s traditionally made, yet approachable, beloved across the board and is still reasonably priced.

For that reason, Il Poggione remains one of our favorite wines in Brunello—it’s tough to beat the combination of quality and price. The wines are probably the least expensive, collectible-quality Brunello out there. The 2012 vintage is no exception and the wine is gorgeous, from a warm vintage but with the freshness and elegance you expect from Il Poggione. We have some available here now and we’re excited to offer them to you today.

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($79.95) Buy Now: $59 special
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($449.95) Buy Now: $333 special (that’s only $55.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintage like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year’s best Brunellos.”

Wine of the Day: Owen Roe Sojourner Vineyard 2012 5-12-2016

Owen Roe ‘Eola – Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills (Sojourner Vineyard) 2012 750ML ($49.95) Buy Now: $39 special

“Owen Roe’s Eola-Amity Pinot Noir is sourced completely from the Sojourner Vineyard. It opens with a light toasty aroma backed by heady notes of iris and rose. There are fine, grippy tannins on the palate with nice acidity that hints at a long aging potential. On the finish are notes of bourbon vanilla, tart red raspberries and a smoky-savory note suggestive of bacon. Good now for lovers of richer Pinots, and great with burgers, grilled herby chicken or a nice sunset.” -Suzanne

Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of fresh blackberry, smoky minerals and incense, along with a suave floral overtone. Pure, expansive red and dark berry flavors put on weight with air and pick up a candied rose quality while maintaining impressive clarity. This rich yet energetic pinot finishes with excellent back-end thrust, supple tannins and lingering smokiness.” JR

Wine of the Day: Karthauserhof Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett 2012 4-22-16

Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Schieferkristall Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2012 750ML ($37.95) Buy Now: $29 special

Why we love it: For being unapologetically German Riesling-y and, well, just fun to drink. Had a bottle open for the better part of a week and it kept getting better. Everything that should be “there” is – the quince, citrus, petrol, citrus, and lush-though-controlled residual sugars. Good now, and even better in the coming months. Who am I kidding? Years. – Tyler

Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “Schieferkristall refers to the Kabinett-styled wines at the Estate (the reference to Kabinett is pushed to the back label). A whiff of wild yeasts gives quickly way to a very attractive and floral bouquet of rose-water, grapefruit and mint. The round and fruity feel from the residual sugar (20 g/l) is nicely balanced by some zesty acidity and a pure and spicy feel in the long finish. This is a deliciously fresh and lively off-dry Riesling made with a small 9.5% of alchohol. 2014-2020”

Domaine JL Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 – April 2016

Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2012 750ML ($319.95) Buy Now: $199 special

Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner from the start, with distinct depth to the creamed mango, white peach and heather flavors, this maintains superior precision and definition as the singed almond, chamomile, salted butter and ginger notes fill in. Glazed pear, elderflower honey and beeswax details chime in on the extremely long finish. Enjoyable now, but needs serious cellaring to show its full potential. Best from 2016 through 2037. 500 cases made.” JM

Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA

Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR