BoulderCO

We will be in Italy in September and planning to purchase a number of bottles of Brunello to carry home. Any recommendations on particular wineries or vintages? I hate to just blindly buy wine with no experience or recommendations. As I recall the last time we were there the prices were mostly in the $20 to $50 range.

pop

1997 was considered a great vintage. There are so many producers to choose from that I had the same problem deciding on which ones to buy. Some wine shops will have bottles open for tasting. I went to several shops and asked what they recommended and looked for some sort of agreement between merchants. I brought back a case but have yet to try them as I wanted them to age a couple of more years at least. I just made sure I bought some that I couldn't find here in the States. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

sgbslo

There was a great article in Wine Spectator Magazine about Brunellos but it was about a year ago and I can't locate the magazine.
When we were there we visited Altisino (sp) and bought some of their Brunello which was outstanding.
Agree with previous poster about 1997 being a very good year.

bobthenavigator

Siro Pacenti--1997
Or, any other 1997

We will be there in oct.

uncle_sam

Castello Banfi...the nectar of the gods!

alan64

I'm a fan of Donatella Cinelli Colombini, especially their Primi Donna (Reserva). Banfi, Biondi-Santi, Argiano, Caparzo, & Castelgiocodo are all great. Before you go, I suggest buying a copy of the 2003 Italian Wines guide by Gambero Rosso (available through Amazon or perhaps your local wine store). A great reference and ratings book.

If you visit Montalcino, the Forteza at the top of the town is a great place to taste & buy Brunellos. 1997 was one of the best years in decades, and the '98 and '99 were also very good. I'd skip '96 but '95 were very good too.

Henry

BoulderCo, I suggest you tour the different producers of Brunello and taste their wine and buy the ones you like. You'll meet interesting people and see the beautiful landscape and when you drink the wine an added benefit will be the memory of each place. I like to buy wines I can not get at home so each bottle is something special. Since there are over 100 producers of Brunello and few stores in the States carry over five brands, this is the easy part (so much wine ,so little time). If you do not have the time to tour, the fortress in Montalcino is the only place (I think) that carries everyone's wine. Yes, the previous poster was correct the '95 was excellent and the '97 was outstanding. My favorite is Croce di Mezzo (the vineyard is three km south of Montalcino on the road to Sant Antimo), they also have a fantasy wine (super Tuscan) called Crociato Nero that is very special. It does not matter what the wine experts like, buy what you like.

jmv

pop, you say you brought back a case--do you mean that literally? that you actually flew carrying a case of wine? or did you ship? if you flew, tell us how you did it, please.

And Dean, are you out there? If I recall correctly, you've provided this forum lots of wine advice. What's your favorite 1997 Brunello?
JmVikmanis

ira

Hi

I have in my notes:

Brunello di Montalcino is the best Italian red wine. 1990, 1993, 1995, 1997 are the best years. It must be aerated to bring out the flavors.
Wine Spectator lists in the following order
Castello Banfi 1997 is about $50.00 retail in US
Castello Banfi Poggio alle Mura 1997 $80
Antinori Pian delle vigne 1997 abt $70.0
Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo 1997 $60
Ciacci Piccolomini Vigna di Pianrosso 1997 $60
Altesino 1997 $90
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova 1997 $65
Poggio Antico 1997 $60

"Donaltella Cinelli Colombini's Brunello di Montalcino is one I like that's not as expensive as the very big names, yet it's well respected. I bought a bottle of Prime Donne reserve Brunello (1997) in Montalcino last year for $30, but it's 2x that here in California".

Also look for Biondi-Santi Brunello

Rosso di Montalcino is a less expensive relative

Don't forget the Barolo wines.

donnabee

We found that they would not ship wine to the States. Banfi was one, and another wine store in Venice.

Budman

jmv, they sell those special wine cases in Sonoma for shipping wine in your checked baggage. I'm sure you could get them in Italy.

The chances of being stopped by customs entering the States is very low. Even if you do get stopped, the duty on still wine is minimal.

I have a friend who has hard luggage and wraps the wine among the clothes, in addition to his carry-on.

BoulderCO

Thanks to everyone who replied. It was very helpful. We plan to be in Montalcino for an afternoon and will check out these recommendations. I had heard that 97 was an excellent year, even better than the 95s we purchased on the last trip. I don't recall seeing a wine store near the fortress on the last trip but will look for it this time.

Dick

The wine shop is IN the fortress. It is where you buy tickets to walk along the fortress walls.

The shop in the fortress will ship to the states.

flygirl

bookmark!

jamikins

bookmark

mjs

I should note that this thread is about 4 years old the Brunello vintages readily available now are different.

Rastaguytoday

Blow the $50 and get Winespectator online. You can check out any wine for any year.

Unfortunately, and I'm one of them, most Americans drink the wines too young.

I used to work with some folks from Bordeaux. 5 years ago, one of them said that he'd finished his '74's and was starting on his '75's. I'd love to have a bottle or two of wine that's aged 25 years. Yum.

Winespectator, as someone else has noted, said that the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 wines are the best vintages.

Their comments for the 1997, 1998 and 2001 are drink or hold, meaning there's still some maturing that can help the
wine. 1999 simply says "hold".

Before you get too brand conscious, also try a good Piedmont wine such as a Barbaresco. Vintages from 1996 to 2001 are all rated excellent.

Rastaguytoday

One thing I did forget to mention is that, the last time I checked, the charge for bringing in excess still wine was 4% of its value.

Trust me on this, no customs official is going to stop and have you fill out a form and he/she fills out a form for $8 of excess wine brought in to the country.

Always declare (unless it's a Cuban cigar or three) and the odds of you paying are nil.

Paulo59

Keep in mind that you cannot carry liquids on flights anymore so you will have to crate it, pack it or ship it to get it home!!!!!

Rastaguytoday

If one takes an empty suitcase, or whatever goes for one today, you can check the wine just like checking your baggage. The liquids rule doesn't apply to checked baggage.

Two key words "bubble wrap".