New Jersey Italian Restaurant

Italian Wine Masters – Tasting Notes from Victor Rallo, Jr.

February 22nd, 2011

The Waiting Game: Age Worthy Brunello di Montalcino., Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – New York City, February 9, 2011 with Kevin Zraly

A Brief Introduction by Bobby Rallo

My brother, Victor, decided that we should head to New York City for a prestigious wine tasting of Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino hosted by the author and creator of Windows on the World Wine Course, Kevin Zraly. But first, we had to make the commute to NY with our pal, Anthony Cammaratta, and a large eggplant parmigiano for his staff at Salvatore Ferragamo. It was an interesting commute, to say the least! Cars, planes, trains, busses and stairs, we managed to get to our destination…with large eggplant parmigiano in tow.

After a light breakfast and coffee, we arrived at the Hilton for a very elegant wine tasting. (Although, if I may add, the staff at Basil’s knows how to pour and serve wine better)! The wine flights selected by Zraly from a blind tasting he did in Italy were his 12 favorites and were as follows (top 9): Vic and Bobby’s Ranking

4 things you can taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salt. No salt in wine,what’s left: sour, bitter and sweet.
10,000 known smells, 200 smells in wine. The nose is a very important part of wine tasting.

La Madonnia. Chianto Classico DOCG 2007 Riserva $20 rated #3
90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and Colorino
Exceptional vintage fresh cherry, clear, excellent color, tannins and a very dry to the finish, very acidic. Sometimes the first wine you taste especially Sangiovese is very acidic should taste with food. First wine tasted light to medium body

Fontodi, Chianti Classico DOCG 2007 Riserva “Vigna del Sorbo $60 rated #2
100% Sangiovese Greater extraction then first wine
Nose was pretty, fresh cherry and black fruit. Dry on the finish with balanced acidity and fruit. You feel the tannins you cannot taste tannins. Medium to full bodied.

Castello di Ama, Chianti Classico DOCG 2007 Retail $45 rated #1
80% Sangiovese 20% Malvasia Nero, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Nero
Mushrooms, musky nose, dry and full bodied. Cherries, color slightly unfiltered, powerful, fruit, balanced acidity and tannins. Blackberries in the finish on the back of the tongue. Probably the best Chianti of the three for aging.

Salchero Vino Nobile di Montepulcino 2007 $35. 50,000 bottles100% Sangiovese
Exceptional year. Light to medium body. Black pepper and spice on the palate less tannic and acidic then Chianti. Tannins dried out my mouth. Cherries very tannic, great age ability.
Riserva In Italy the age is guaranteed by the DOCG. California and France Riserva has no aging rules.

La Baccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2007 $27 190,000 Rated #2
90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot
Exceptional year. Alcohol in the nose, elegance in fruit. Ample tannins that blocked out fruit in the wine. Tight fisted, not ready to drink. Very good age ability

Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2007 $31 180,000 bottles Rated #1
80% Sangiovese, 20% Colorino, Canaiolo, Merlot
Exceptional year, great maturity in the nose nice toasty smell. Deep dark and extracted full of fruit. Leather, great balance and an explosion of fruit. Long tannins at the end in the back of the palate.

Pinino, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $60 41,000 bottles Rated #2
Lightest color, fresh cherry and great fruit and oak. Medium acidity and oak tannins. Buttery and refreshingly elegant.

Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $65 230,000 bottles Rated #3
Fennel notes in the nose bright and vibrant color. Very round with nice fruit, higher tannic acid and oak tannins. This wine needs more time in the bottle. Remember good Brunello’s can age for 20-30 years.

Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 $62 22,500 bottles Rated #1 Best of current vintages
Deepest in color and complexity, Musty leather nose with nice balance of fruit. Very deep extraction with up front fruit, total balance of fruit, acid and tannins. Best wine tasted. Extremely long Finish bottles Andrea Cotonesi is a friend and I believe him to be one of the best up and coming winemakers in Montalcino.

Principe Corsini Fattoria Le Corti Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva Don Tommaso 1999 (1.5 liter) $150 1,200 bottles Best Chianti
Smoky oak (oxidation) in a good way round and elegant with tons of fruit and still very acidic and with pronounced oak tannins. Ready to drink, excellent wine and drinks perfectly today!!!

Dei Vino Nobile di Montpulciano DOCG 1999 Riserva $145
Subtle leather, more cherry fruit, autumn leaves, tar like, an aged wine with tons of fruit, and tons of tannins still very young for its age. Great elegance.
Col D’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1991 $200 Best of the Tasting
The oldest wine tasted today, to me this is exactly how Brunello should age! Mushrooms in the nose, color is still excellent. Ready to drink, tannins and acidity in balance with fruit. Ready today or age with grace for 10 more years. Absolutely delicious.

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