2006 Brunello CastelGiocondo: I'll tell you the truth...

[JimHow]

So Jimmy Suckling rates this like 95 points.
Parker's guy gives it 89, and wonders if 2006 is overhyped.
Seems like a significant disparity.
Can't really believe anything The Sucker has to say of Brunello, of course.
Then again you get the sense that the Advocate guy isn't exactly without an agenda either.
Our bottle has been uncorked, I will tell you what the real deal is.

[JimHow]

If this wine is a 95 pointer then I'm Brad Pitt. (Wait, a bank teller told me today I look like Brad Pitt, with my long hair.) MAYBE I'll give it 90 points... and that's a big maybe.... That Italian wine tartness that I'm not a fan of... What is it, a ripeness issue? Is it just the nature of the beast with the grape? Way over-priced at the $50-something I paid for it.

[oldwinenut]

To young, to young, to young. This need 10 -15 years just like a good Bordeaux.

[JimHow]

Sure, all new release wines that I drink are young. The clearly outstanding 2008 Leoville Poyferre I had a couple weeks ago will be better in 15-20 years, too. But it clearly has nice balance, smooth tannins, nice ripeness, etc. These Italian wines have a mouth-puckeringness that I don't get with young Bordeaux...

[Bacchus]

I'm with you on this one, Jim. I have a good friend who loves Italian wines. And he's always trying to get me to admit that I like them too. The up side is I get to try a lot of Italian wines. But it doesn't seem to matter what kind of wine it is -- barolo, barbaresco, chianti, etc -- they all have that tartness. I like grip on my wines, but the kind that comes from the proper balance of acid and tannin. All that acid in those Italians is too much for me. And by the way, there are some Rhone wines that have that same tartness. Maybe not quite as much as the Italian wines, but nonetheless . . .

[JonoB]

I like Brunello, but Castelgiacondo has never been my thing... Lacking any balance.
I am a fan of Salvioni, modern but in a great way, Agostina Pieri and those that are like it...

These guys I find just a bit dull in comparison.

[Claudius2]

Guys I like Brunellos but wonder why they are so expensive at times.
There are plenty of other sangiovese wines that are as good, but I must admit I bought some 06's on indent.
The tartness does not have to be a major factor in Brunello.

[JonB]

I liked the '08 Poyferre, and thought it among the best at the '08 UGC tasking, so I bought a case (but didn't go long on the '08 vintage).

Suckling....I get the feeling that part of his schtick is to hype a vintage....in part he'll get quoted more often by wine merchants selling their wares, which in turn helps advertising and could bring in subscribers.

[JimHow]

I too bought a case of 2008 Leoville Poyferrre.

[Houndsong]

In the land of 89 point wines, what matters most is what you pay.

I bought 6 08 Langoa Barton. I hear Jimmie LB How also manages Poyferre. Maybe we can arrange a non-title bout some time.