2010 Brunello

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stefan
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2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

What do you think of 2010 Brunello di Montalcino? The critics, including The Sucker, who has a pretty good palate for Italian wines, say it is great. I bought a fair number because of the opinions of the critics and the fact that I wanted more Italian wines, but my purchases were almost random. Over the years Lucie and I have drunk many bottles from Italy, but I am still not very knowledgeable about the wines, even from the appellations like Brunello and Barolo that we drink most often. Last night I decided that we should drink our first 2010 Brunello but expected it to be closed. I opened Corte Pavone to go with Lucie’s Bolognese made with bison and strip steak simmered in milk. Lucie commented, “If all of our Italian wines tasted like this, we would eat Italian food more often”. The Corte Pavone is in the softer modern style of Brunello but had a solid core of leather and deep dark fruits. It is really good and also a bargain. Tonight Lucie wanted to go out, but I was too tired after working all day and performing for a late afternoon class for an hour and a half. She somehow managed to make a delicious eggplant parmigiana on the spur of the moment without have the right ingredients on hand (it is amazing what she can do with mozzarella cheese sticks) and I opened another 2010 Brunella, Val di Suga. This is a cut below the Corte Pavone both in quality and price, but nevertheless quite nice. While in the classic style, it also is approachable now and has leather. There is nothing I know from Bordeaux around $25 that is as good.
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JimHow
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Funny you should ask, Bill, I have had the random 26 bottles queued up for about a week at Zachy's but I've been struggling to pull the trigger:

391892 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso Ciacci Piccolomini 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $74.99 $74.99 $74.99
395497 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta di Sesta 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $49.99 $37.99 $37.99
391895 Brunello di Montalcino Col dOrcia 2010 (92JS) (750ML) $44.99 $34.99 $34.99
391884 Brunello di Montalcino Caparzo 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $44.99 $29.99 $29.99
391902 Brunello di Montalcino Fuligni 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $100.00 $74.99 $74.99
390977 Brunello di Montalcino Il Poggione 2010 (750ML) $90.00 $79.99 $79.99
391864 Brunello di Montalcino Altesino 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $60.00 $44.99 $44.99
394798 Brunello di Montalcino I Cipressi 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $59.00 $34.99 $34.99
395183 Brunello di Montalcino San Filippo Le Lucere 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $80.00 $67.99 $67.99
392073 Brunello Di Montalcino Palazzo 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $75.00 $54.99 $54.99
396976 Brunello di Montalcino Varco Molino Sant Antimo 2010 (93JS) (750ML) $46.99 $34.99 $34.99
392070 Brunello di Montalcino Mastrojanni 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $85.00 $69.99 $69.99
391889 Brunello di Montalcino Castiglion del Bosco 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $55.00 $39.99 $39.99
392078 Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarellino 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $54.00 $39.99 $39.99
392083 Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni San Felice 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $60.00 $39.99 $39.99
391866 Brunello di Montalcino Pian Delle Vigne Antinori 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $79.00 $54.99 $54.99
391883 Brunello di Montalcino La Casa Caparzo 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $85.00 $59.99 $59.99
391880 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura Banfi 2010 (97JS) (750ML) $95.00 $64.99 $64.99
395132 Brunello di Montalcino Talenti 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $59.00 $46.99 $46.99
391890 Brunello di Montalcino Ciacci Piccolomini 2010 (94JS) (750ML) $59.00 $42.99 $42.99
395184 Brunello di Montalcino La Colombina 2010 (93JS) (750ML) $47.99 $37.99 $37.99
391899 Brunello di Montalcino Castelgiocondo Frescobaldi 2010 (97JS) (750ML) $75.00 $49.99 $49.99
403737 Brunello di Montalcino Canalicchio di Franco Pacenti 2010 (95JS/95WE) (750ML) $55.00 $39.99 $39.99
397143 Brunello di Montalcino Sancarlo 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $44.99 $36.99 $36.99
398786 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Salvi 2010 (94WE) (750ML) $49.99 $29.99 $29.99
391907 Brunello di Montalcino La Poderina-Del Cerro 2010 (94JS) (750ML) $55.00 $34.99 $34.99
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Blanquito
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Blanquito »

Every time I think I've figured brunello out, it throws a curve ball at me. It can be great, even profound, but then it can be awful and basically undrinkable. I don't know why. Producer? Vintage? Maturity?

I've moved more to Chianti of late. Monsanto and Selvapiana are my go to producers there.
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RPCV
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by RPCV »

I have been a more consistent buyer of Brunello since the 2006 vintage....a nice foil to Bordeaux and earlier maturing. To me, vintages prior to '06 were more fraught with inconsistency. My go to producers, La Ragnaie, Salicutti and Pain dell 'Orino. There are many other good ones....find the style you like and zero in on the producer. Jim's shotgun approach on buying should do the trick.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

I've had limited experience with Brunello. I've enjoyed Argiano and Uccelleria.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AlohaArtakaHoundsong »

I didn't know Brunello came in $25 increments, except maybe Vitanza Tradition. Most of what get's flogged at me comes with $59++ price points and of course they all come with 98 suckling points. I think he has annuitized his points.

Autocorrect is geting me down. If it's not my mac it's built in to every online comment box.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AlohaArtakaHoundsong »

The 2009 (2007?) Campogiavanni San Felice was nice. I described it as something a conclave of cardinals would drink at an offsite.
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JimHow
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

I wonder what they used to have in the chalice when we were in grade school, carefully biting the wafer, sipping of the cup, calmly wiping the lip of the cup with the white cloth….
What a ceremony!
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by marcs »

One of my earliest wine collecting experiences was going 'long' (for me at the time) on 1997 Brunello based on severe vintage hype from Wine Spectator and other places.I started drinking them at 5-8 years old and they were, like, pretty bad. Especially compared to youthful 2000 Bordeaux that I was drinking at the time. Never went near Brunello again.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Yes, I recall a similar experience with the 1997s. Now I'm leaning against the above 2010 purchase.
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AKR
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AKR »

I've bought a scant few 2010's. Probably should have a few more.

The Rosso's of the same vintage have been solid enough, which is a good sign.

I had a very nice 2007 Chiuse last month.

Apparently its a vineyard that used to be part of Biondi Santi, but the granddaughter now makes it on its own.

Chianti was good in 2010 too, some of the gran selezione offerings might be comparable to Brunello in terms of aging.

I like some of the same producers Blanquito does too.
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stefan
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

You should buy at least some of the 2010s to try, Jim. I'll be shocked if you don't like some of them. I have some of the ones on your list but have not yet tasted any of them. Some others are in the PC graveyard.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by jckba »

I bought 6packs from a bunch of different producers (Argiano, Banfi, Banfi Poggio Alle Mura, Casanova di Neri White Label, Conti Costanti, Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Fuligni, Gaja Rennina, Il Poggione, La Serena, Lisini, Mastrojanni, Pian dell Orino, Romitorio and Valdicava) in 2010 most of which I have tasted at some point or another and I am completely sold on the fact that this was an outstanding vintage across Europe. I probably would have bought even more if it were not for the varying experiences I have had with Brunello's (much like with Cali cabs), as when I encounter a great example I immediately question why am I not drinking more of this and then I encounter an underwhelming example and am right back to where I began. And these hit or miss experiences have also left me not really wanting to experiment with reserva's due to their significantly higher price tags.

As far as this go big or go home Zachys sale (with free shipping), I think there are some good deals as well as some not so good deals so just choose wisely.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

I was gonna buy until I read your note jckba, now I'm wary again.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by jckba »

I didn't mean to dissuade you, I am just saying to pick more selectively. Let's use the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona as our example estate to illustrate my point since you've listed 2 of their cuvee's and I am using the free winesearcher for comparisons.

The cheapest price for the base cuvee is $38.95 at Empire Wine whereas Zachys is selling it for $42.99 but with free shipping that makes the difference much smaller and makes it a buy. Now look at the Pianrosso, the cheapest price is $57.99 at City Wine Merchant whereas Zachys is selling it for $74.99 with free shipping, this I would classify as not such a good deal.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Now I'm even more confused!
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

Jim, just type in what you are thinking about into WineSearcher to see how the Zachy's prices compare. 'Course since you are buying just a bottle of each wine, getting the best price on every bottle is not a big deal. The main thing is to keep careful notes so that (1) you get a sense of what styles you like and (2) you remember which ones to buy in the future. My problem is sometimes I drink these wines when I am not very focused and later don't recall which ones I liked and what they tasted like. That rarely happens to me with Bordeaux, probably because I am much more familiar with Bordeaux and the styles of various estates therein and how wines from an appellation with Bordeaux "should" taste.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by jckba »

Ha sorry let me try to clarify. I think 2010 is without a doubt a vintage worth buying. My hit or miss experiences that I referenced had nothing to do with 2010 vintage Brunello's but rather Brunello's from prior vintages much like what others including yourself were stating. And as for pricing, all I was trying to convey was that some of Zachys pricing was better than others.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AKR »

are there any terms & conditions on the zachys free shipping? I looked online but didn't see any constraints.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by jckba »

I kind of felt like I might have been Zachys bashing above so I called the store and confirmed that the free shipping is on any in stock Brunello and there is no dollar or btl minimum to qualify. I was told however that there would be a 1.5% shipping insurance charge that would be added.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Comte Flaneur »

Brunello of course has had 'previous' which I think relates to the notion that the Rossos are sexy and accessible which risked the trad Brunos becoming superfluous ... so hence the temptation to soup them up. We are probably over that now. I have stayed away for the most part butvmy 'go to' is Sesti...gorgeous in 2007, and generally fabulous.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Tom In DC »

My "not quite short but shorter than the BD's original list" list would be

391892 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso Ciacci Piccolomini 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $74.99 $74.99 $74.99
391895 Brunello di Montalcino Col dOrcia 2010 (92JS) (750ML) $44.99 $34.99 $34.99
391884 Brunello di Montalcino Caparzo 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $44.99 $29.99 $29.99
391902 Brunello di Montalcino Fuligni 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $100.00 $74.99 $74.99
391864 Brunello di Montalcino Altesino 2010 (95JS) (750ML) $60.00 $44.99 $44.99
394798 Brunello di Montalcino I Cipressi 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $59.00 $34.99 $34.99
392073 Brunello Di Montalcino Palazzo 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $75.00 $54.99 $54.99
392070 Brunello di Montalcino Mastrojanni 2010 (98JS) (750ML) $85.00 $69.99 $69.99
392083 Brunello di Montalcino Campogiovanni San Felice 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $60.00 $39.99 $39.99
391883 Brunello di Montalcino La Casa Caparzo 2010 (96JS) (750ML) $85.00 $59.99 $59.99
391890 Brunello di Montalcino Ciacci Piccolomini 2010 (94JS) (750ML) $59.00 $42.99 $42.99
395184 Brunello di Montalcino La Colombina 2010 (93JS) (750ML) $47.99 $37.99 $37.99
398786 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Salvi 2010 (94WE) (750ML) $49.99 $29.99 $29.99
391907 Brunello di Montalcino La Poderina-Del Cerro 2010 (94JS) (750ML) $55.00 $34.99 $34.99

A couple of high-end bottlings, mostly the "normale", and mostly from producers that have been around the block and earned my trust. These look pretty well priced. Hold the Pianrosso and the La Casa at least until all the others are gone!

Ciao,
Tommaso
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JimHow
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Ok, that's good advice! If you were going to take 2 more out, what would they be?
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Tom In DC
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Tom In DC »

Gotta get it down to a sealed-up case, eh, Jimmy? Probably the La Colombina and the Col d'Orcia. But if you had those two as cannon fodder, you'd be able to try a couple without breaking into the case, right?
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Oh shoot that's right, the shipping is free, so it doesn't matter.
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stefan
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

I haven't tasted the 2010 Poggio alle Mura Banfi, but Banfi is a producer you should try even if the Poggio alle Mura tends to be pricey for its level. K&L has it for $53, a very good price, in case you buy from them.
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Jay Winton
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Jay Winton »

I see deals on Brunello all the time (including 2010 and especially "lesser" years) so I would suggest buying a sampler and then purchase what you like. You can set up a price point in WS pro that will alert you when a wine matches your price.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AKR »

it has always seemed to me that the gap between where Brunello is initially offered at, and where it eventually 'trades' at, years later is wider than most normal wines.

There is some disconnect between the quantity made (oceans of it) versus the original aspirations.

So much ends up on the flash sale sites, and in by the glass programs in the hospitality industry.

Thanks for clarifying that about the Zachys shipping. I guess I should order a few if there are truly no limits on their shipping deal.

Their web site is terrible though. Strange for such a big merchant.
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JimHow
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

I'm leaning toward the Tommaso plan of buying a case.
Just got my five cases delivered from MacArthurs.
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JimHow
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

I'm just not feeling it on my Brunello order (which I have now reduced to 12 bottles). Why should I be satisfied that they are not going to turn out like those awful 1997s?
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stefan
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

Based on my very large sample of two, you have no fear, BD. Drink one or two from your case right away and order more if you like them.

Tonight we had left over quail and left over eggplant parmesan and continued our tasting of 2010 Eyetalian wines with a 2010 Marchesi di Barolo Barbaresco. The fruit is bright and red with a long finish but the bouquet is not developed. The core is solid even if the wine is less attractive than the Brunellos for drinking young. Lucie liked it at the beginning but was less impressed at the end of the bottle, while my reaction was exactly the opposite. The Chicago Wine Co. claims to have this for $20. I think that is a super bargain while Lucie says that she has drunk better wines for $20. So have I, but not for a very long time. Despite her reservations, Lucie drank at least half of the bottle pretty quickly, so I take her comments with a grain of salt.
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Blanquito
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Blanquito »

TCWC often has terrific deals on young Italian wines. For example, I recently got the 09 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja Riserva there for $38.
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Tom In DC
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Tom In DC »

A bit surprised to hear the Banfi recommendation, stefan. It's always OK, but more like Mouton-Cadet than Mouton. The Poggio alle Mura is a step up, but only in a follow the recipe, paint-by-numbers way.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Pianrosso Ciacci Picolomoni and Caparzo are futures, Tommaso, how about Il Poggione?
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Blanquito
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by Blanquito »

I really liked the 04/06 Il Poggiones on release. Bought some, buried them.

Never really liked Banfi, but it's been a while. Lisini can be amazing, perhaps my top brunello, I bought a few bottles of the 2010, but I am drinking my 1999s Lisini right now.

In a mid-modern style, Agostina Pieri can be a good value.

I guess there are some brunellos that speak to me.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by AKR »

stefan wrote:Based on my very large sample of two, you have no fear, BD. Drink one or two from your case right away and order more if you like them.

Tonight we had left over quail and left over eggplant parmesan and continued our tasting of 2010 Eyetalian wines with a 2010 Marchesi di Barolo Barbaresco. The fruit is bright and red with a long finish but the bouquet is not developed. The core is solid even if the wine is less attractive than the Brunellos for drinking young. Lucie liked it at the beginning but was less impressed at the end of the bottle, while my reaction was exactly the opposite. The Chicago Wine Co. claims to have this for $20. I think that is a super bargain while Lucie says that she has drunk better wines for $20. So have I, but not for a very long time. Despite her reservations, Lucie drank at least half of the bottle pretty quickly, so I take her comments with a grain of salt.
When do you recommend normally drinking the 2010 Barbarescos, and the like?
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stefan
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by stefan »

Tom, Mouton Cadet is not a fair comparison, but I do agree that even Banfi Poggio alle Mura is more generic than the other wines that I know on Jim's list. It usually has Brunello flavors while lacking distinctiveness. I think it is good one to start with and move from. That is why I suggested he try it. BTW: Like Patrick, I also like Il Poggione, but I see it did not make your list. Is it too modern for your taste?

Arv, the Marchesi di Barolo was the first 2010 Barbaresco I tried, so I don't know when most will hit their drinking windows.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

It was on my original list but Tommaso took it off. I'm thinking of adding it back on.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JCNorthway »

My wine tasting group will be sampling 6 representatives of the 2010 vintage this afternoon - producers not yet revealed. I will report back on what I find.
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Re: 2010 Brunello

Post by JimHow »

Ok Jon please do, I still have my Zachy's order queued up.
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