Luce Brunello di Montalcino
Люченте - наше всё!
Although I am not really a lover of Italian wines (aside from Pinot Grigio and such with a seafood), but I really liked Luce's.
http://www.lucedellavite.com/en/vini-2
The truth though is that Luce is not really quite an Italian wine (it definitely stands out from an Italian crowd), perhaps because after Luce came under new management somewhere over 15 years ago, they invited wine-makers from Sonoma and restyled their wines rather than keeping the old tradition. I tried old (pre-reform) vintages and new ones, and there is a marked difference, I like the new style much better. New Luce wines can be described, in a word, as exuberant, like no other wines I seen. Definitely try Luce Lucente, it is inexpensive and easy to get. I'd pair Lucente with white melon -- rather than grape -- and meats (ideal with noble meats, such as venison carpaccio, wild boar prosciutto, duck salami etc., but in a pinch plain Italian cured meats and salamis would do). If you find it agreeable, try Luce Brunello, best vintages (like for all Brunellos) would be around 2007, i.e. about 2006-2008 (up to 2009-ish) with peak being 2007.
By the way, speaking about pairing I discovered that chunks of non-sweet orange pair quite well with Chardonnays, it is as if one was complementing and completing the other.
2007 Pian dell'Orino Brunello di Montalcino
Один из лучших брунелло.
2010 Citille di Soppa Brunello di Montalcino
Замечательный брунелло.
Даже лучше (букет/вкус шире), чем IL POGGIONE.
Riserva 2007 IL POGGIONE Brunello di Montalcino
2010 IL POGGIONE Brunello di Montalcino
Очень неплохие брунелло.
2010 самую чуточку интенсивнее, чем 2007.
Для полного счастья не хватает полноты и округлости.
2007 PALARI FARO
Сицилия.
Неожиданно весьма хорошее (брунелёзно!), очень близко к 2010 IL POGGIONE.
2007 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino
Так себе. Воздействует в основном на рецепторы задней верхней части рта, на остальных ощущается полувакуум.
2010 Lagerla Brunello di Montalcino
Совсем никакой.
