1998 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino

Had this wine last week at sea. It was spicy on the nose and in the mouth, quite enjoyably so. Rich and complex. Did not detect any mocha myself, but otherwise totally agree with the note above. I would have probably rated this a few points higher than futronic, in fact. So far, my favorite 1998 by a good bit.

PH

I love Fuligni!!!

I just had this wine last week. I didn't take any formal notes as we had it with dinner, but I concur with futronic. I'd venture to say it's mature now, and it was showing absolutely wonderfully.

And I agree with mwagner7700...


PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
And I agree with mwagner7700...

Imagine that...

I wish I had some of the '98s in my cellar. They were pretty tough to come by up here, and ended up costing more than the '97s. *shrug*

futronic,

Agreed on the pricing. The 97's & 98's are priced the same down here. The '98s are available for around $60-65 US. Let me know if you'd like me to bring you a couple when I head north next month.

PH

PH,

I'll let you know sooner rather than later, but I would probably get you to pick up a couple '97s instead. I've only got the Riserva, not the normale.

fut,

Let me know. It would be a pleasure. Check my favorite Italian source here and let me know if you see anything else you like. I can get a minimum 10% off on even small lots here.

PH

Will do. Thanks!

Very expensive store - good Italian selection though.

Best deals to me are some of the reserva's in 93 and 95.

The regular Brunello's 97-99 are way too high though. Best 99 I've had is the La Poderina. They're at $72 - I pay $56. price should not be above $60 - $65 tops.

Wait till you get to Philly and hit some shops. You'll find something.

futronic,

I'd be happy to open a bottle of the 98 at CHIC on March 12th.

Cheers,

Otis

Hunter,

I agree that the prices are a tad high, even with 10% off. I have to remind myself that you guys have to pay tax on alcohol, and that adds to the sticker price. Up here all the taxes are factored into the sticker price, so there's no need to worry about that.

There is a lot of selection at that place, however.

Otis,

If you open a '98 at CHIC, that would be great! Just hope I'll be at the same table so I can get a taste!

futronic & Hunter,

No argument on pricing. These are their regular prices though, and sale prices run 10-20% less at least. Given the staff, provenance etc. they are worth a bit more than your "run of the mill store." Our cost of living down here is also kinda high. I guess we just get used to it. Our cabdrivers make $100K, though...


PH

Expensive... but a very nice selection.

Crystal clear medium ruby colour. Aromas of violets, cherry, plums, earth. Medium-full bodied, elegant, already drinking well. Shows sliced plums, violets, roses, earth, cherry on the palate. Moderate finish, 30s, with red fruit. Will hold for another 2-3 years easily. 91 points (03/12/2005).

Medium ruby in color. The overwhelming aroma is dried cherry. Spice, cherry and stony-earth notes in the back. Still very tight... give it time, or decant for a while. 89-91 points.

I had the 1995 last weekend and it was a little disappointing. It had the plum and dried cherry notes on the nose but also had taken on a decadent, old wood, cheesy nose that I don't remember. The palate was refined and delicious like an old Burgundy. My guests didn't finish the bottle...me neither. May be it was a bad bottle. 87 points

James, thanks for the reply. The last time I had the 1995 was in early March of this year at the Philly BdM Offline. I thought it was wonderful. Hopefully you just had an off bottle because I still have one left, and it would be a huge disappointment if it didn't drink close to my notes above.

Hey, we're trying to get a 1997 BdM Offline together here. Would you be in the NYC/Philly area anytime in the next few months? We'd love to have you if you'd be interested in attending.

I'd agree with mwagner7700 on both counts. The 1995 Fuligni was many tasters' WOTN that evening. It would be a treat if Mr. Suckling could come! Somehow I think futronic might be able to juggle his schedule for that!

PH

Nice, dark ruby color with very little watering at the edge. Mild aromas of currant/cherry and spice, with a wonderful rose petal note after additional aeration. The palate started out on the cranberry end of the spectrum and opened up later to dark cherry, with spice and a touch of mineral, as well as mild tannins, on the finish. A lovely, refined wine, which actually seemed to gain in flavor intensity with a triple-cream cheese and prusciutto. It even paired nicely with sliced gala apples. Ca. 92-3 IMO. Drink now or continue to hold a few years.

• 1998 E. Fuligni (Cottimelli) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (3/17/2007)
  Not decanted. Poured down into shoulder and allowed to breathe for 1.5 hours. Medium-dark ruby colour. Aromas of dried cherry, dried flowers, caramel, and sottobosco. Medium-bodied, lovely acidity, resolved tannins, showing dried cherry, dried currant, and sottobosco notes. Moderate finish, ~25s, with red fruit and earth. Not quite as nice as previous bottles. Drink now.(88 pts.)
  
  
• 1998 E. Fuligni (Cottimelli) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (5/19/2007)
  Popped and poured. Medium ruby colour with some bricking at the rim. Pretty aromas of sottobosco, dried flowers, spice, cherry, and currant. Medium-bodied, with a silky texture. Sottobosco, dried cherry, dried flowers, and leather notes on the palate. Moderate finish, ~30s, with orange rind, currant, cherry, sottobosco, and leather. Really elegant and refined, as to be expected from Fuligni. My last bottle, and it showed exactly as expected - beautifully! Drink now. (90 pts.)
  

Posted from CellarTracker

Futronic,

Thanks for treating us to a nice collection of TNs !

I had this one still in my notebook:

• 1998 E. Fuligni (Cottimelli) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (5/3/2007)
  Dark ruby color with some ambering at the rim. Ripe tones of black fruit, cedar and tobacco. Medium bodied with smooth but chewy tanines and a long finish. Quite rustic. Very balanced right now. Drink now (and don't wait too long...)
  Drank this one during my montalcino trip in May. (91 pts.)

My pleasure, Albert! I'm not done yet, however - lots more notes to come over the next little while. Still playing catch-up.

Most notes that I've recently seen agree with ours - it's definitely something to consume in the (very) short-term. It's very tasty stuff!

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
My pleasure, Albert! I'm not done yet, however

Damn......Fut. You'd better hurry up! We don't want these notes to be a a year old when they finally hit the boards!!

Another fan, and grateful reader of your notes, fwiw......

PH

Hey now ... I'm only six months behind at this point. Smartass!

This was my last bottle of the '98, which I had previously enjoyed a great deal... not this one. It lasted maybe 30 minutes in the glass with a pleasant cherryish note, but also a notable adicic spine that was not fleshed out by the fruit. This bottle was purchased for a song from winebid, so the provenence is suspect, but if it is at all representative of its brothers, I would recommend drinking very soon. No score.

Sorry to hear, stickman. I do agree that this wine should be consumed in short order.

I had the 2000 Fuligni last night, and thought it was really nice. Drinking well now and should easily hold another few years.