Apologies for the short notes - I didn't have the time or inclination. Should be mentioned that I started with a single glass of '99 Kistler Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay.

Purchased on futures from D. Sokolin Co. (thanks ojeffso!).

This was my first official foray into my '97 Brunello collection (I bought a ton of this, Altesino Montosoli, Frescobaldi, Ciacci, and Pertimali).

Opened about an hour before the first glass, this wine began its 'life' with hard cherry and raspberry flavors, low acidity, heavy tannin, and a short finish. Even in its opening stages, you could tell this was a very good wine.

After a few hours (sitting on the table at Aquila), the wine really opened into a beauty. I had forgotten what a sexy, subtle wine Sangiovese can be (I'm used to big cabs and shiraz/syrah). The wine paired very well with my filet, black truffle, and mashed potato entree. The tannins are perhaps the most 'drying' I've encountered --- definitely have a large glass of water handy when enjoying this.

I can't see the 97 that James Suckling gave it (I don't have much experience yet with BdMs), but I do recognize a beautiful wine in the making. I'm giving my other bottles plenty of time in the cellar.

I'd rate this a 93 (but could be much higher if I were to compare it vs. other BdMs in a tasting).

A huge sigh of relief has taken place though --- these wines are for real. No doubt about it.

Short,

You picked a beauty to kick off your '97 BdM foray! I found this wine to be incredibly elegant, complex, and loaded with structure and hiding places for flavors. It should improve significantly with time.

I think the fact that James Suckling chose to put this in the "anchor spot" at the '97 BdM tasting in LV (right after the Montesoli) speaks volumes about the quality of this wine.

Wish I had a few bottles in my cellar.

Cheers,

Otis

short-between here and when in tuscany, i have tasted about eleven 97 brunellos. other than the fanti(which is showing beautifully now), most of the highly rated ones are as tight as a drum. other than the prices being so inexpensive in tuscany, drinking them this young was a waste.

For those who REALLY want this WS 97-pt wine, Sam's is currently offering pre-orders of it for $93/bottle (ouch). www.samswine.com The guy who handles italian wines is Sean Hartig.

Cheers,

Otis

1997 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (2/19/2007)

I shipped a bottle of this wine out to Pinot Envy to open at an offline at her home in LA last week. I sent it out a couple weeks early to avoid travel shock. R2-D2 got a great deal on this wine at $46 and shared a few with me (normal retail was about $75). 1997 was a classic vintage in Brunello.

I decanted this bottle about 3 hours before trying it. I tried this when it was first opened and again later in the evening. It was medium purple red color. Only mildly sedimented. It gained some body as it sat in the decanter. A well balanced and integrated wine which came off as smooth and mellow early. Notes of black cherry, pepper, raw meat later in the night. It had a dry texture and a long finish. Great mouthfeel. Fine tannins. The balance is what impressed me the most. I liked this very much. Not quite as much as the WS97 points that James Suckling gave it but close. 94-95 points.

VM

Thanks for the note VM. I have one of these squirreled away and have been wanting to open it. Any thoughts on drinking window for this?

With some decanting it could be ready to go now. Probably better is another couple years. Should drink well thru 2017.

VM

Thanks for the note VM. I have been contemplating starting to pull my '97 BdM's and this one is near the top of my list. This makes me want to wait another year or two...

Thanks VM. Since I only have one of these I think I'll wait a bit.

1997 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (8/13/2007)

Otis opened a bottle of this wine for his CDP this weekend. It competed for wine of the night among many of the board members who attended (unfortunately the other strong contender was the 1991 Kathryn Kennedy Cab which was the first wine to be finished). This is the 2nd time I have had this wine and it showed very well each time. A smooth elegant old world style red. Silky tannins with notes of rainier cherries and earthy fruit. A seemless wine. Glad I still have 2 of these that I purchased for $46 on release. 94 points.

VM

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
A smooth elegant old world style red. Silky tannins with notes of rainier cherries and earthy fruit. A seemless wine.94 points.
VM

Well put VM. IMHO, and as I mentioned in another thread, this bottle was absolutely in the zone. I gave it 95-96 points. A grand Brunello.

My first try with this wine since tasting on release. Deep ruby color with virtually no visible sign of aging. This may be the most overt nose I've ever encountered in a BdM: like a mixed bouquet of flowers, rich fruit, vanillan oak, and chocolate - utterly fabulous. (I loved watching others smelling the wine - lots of wide-eyed surprise.) The palate was not as overt, but still absolutely delicious red and black fruits, with hints of licorice and chocolate. The tannins are quite noticeable on the finish, but so is rather lively acidity, giving the palate a rich, full-bodied impression that remains lively and refreshing. All-in-all, the balance seems to be there; the components just need more time to integrate IMHO. VERY pleasurable now but likely even beter in the future. Score? Nose = 99. Palate (now) = 95. Potential = at least 97.

Sounds great Stickman ... I wasn't able to get in on the '97s but I have some of the '99s. I'm going to try and wait (I must wait. I must wait) till next year to start pulling the cork of one these bottles.

The great irony to me is that some early reports (actually more like criticisms) of the '97 vintage was that they would drink well young but fade young as well, while the '99 vintage was considered more 'classic' and was supposed to take longer to open but age gracefully. Now a decade later, I'm hearing plenty of 'hold' advice on the '97s and 'drink or hold' on the '99s. Not too long ago, Suckling reported that the '99 Cerretalto was actually drinking better (i.e. more advanced) than the '97, and I've heard similar advice on several other BdMs, including Frescobaldi, La Poderina, and the Siro Pacenti mentioned above. I bet if you pull the cork on the '99 in a year that you'll be pleased with what emerges. Whenever you choose to open it, I sincerely hope it sings to you.