Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012

Sweet, savory aromas lead the way, sort of a mineral-laden black fruit---dark berries and plums. Smoke, dried herbs, violet, meat, wet stones and a hint of ironstone complete the package. It penetrates yet is a broad fragrant expression. I've always felt the aromatic range of this wine has its foundation in the four clones we use.

The black fruits continue on the palate, with black cherry, dark plum and spices echoing the aroma. While it's rich, almost luxurious, there's a tannic foundation and a structured acidity. Floral and earthy, the dried herbs and stones emerge here too, along with tobacco, thyme and lavender. This is a food-lover's Syrah, with weight, brightness and dimension.

(Clones 174, 383, 99 and Phelps) Vineyards: Ciel du Cheval Ranch at the End of the Road Classic Red Mountain character defines the Syrah La Côte Rousse, despite being the product of a cooler vintage. The warm site vineyards, Ciel du Cheval and Ranch at the End of the Road accumulated more heat than our other sites and ripened the four Syrah clones to a greater extent; we’ve never seen Red Mountain deliver less than full physiological maturity, every vintage. Nevertheless this vintage retains a vibrancy and energy that isn’t often found on Red Mountain.

Review:

The 2015 Syrah la Cote Rousse is a blockbuster Syrah from Red Mountain that’s from the Ranch at the End of The Road and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. It’s a mix of four different clones and is brought up in barrel. This deep, inky, seriously black Syrah gives up Hermitage-like notes of scorched earth, charred meats, graphite and licorice. It’s a big, concentrated effort that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep through 2035. Robert Parker 96 Points

Thorn Clarke William Randell Shiraz is made from 100 percent Shiraz

Deep red / purple color, the nose displays lifted spice with layers of dark chocolate, mocha and Christmas cake. The palate is rich and full bodied with blackberries, cassis and mocha oak notes which characterize this intensely flavored Barossa Shiraz. The wine is mouth filling and satisfying with its creamy texture and fine silky tannins. The wine has great length with lingering flavors of blackberry fruit and well integrated oak.

Review:

"Stereotypical Oz Shiraz to some extent, the 2016 William Randell Shiraz is big, ripe and heavily accented by American oak. Cedar and vanilla notes blend with rich, plummy fruit, those sweet notes brought together and balanced by savoury dry tannins. It's a big-ass steak wine, one that will be appreciated by consumers at steakhouses around the world. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue # 238, August 31st 2018), 93-95 pts

Pinone Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese.

Deep ruby-red with garnet hues. Intense fresh aromas of cherries and raspberry. Full, round and silky with aromas of blackberry and plum. Full-bodied and elegant with fine tannins and spicy oak notes in the finish.

Average age of the vines is 20 years. 
Wine went through malolactic fermetation. 
It was slightly filtered before bottling.

Pasta with meat sauce, red meats and game.

Reviews:

"This shows wonderful precision and focus on the nose with dried flowers, crushed stones and dark-berry character. Full body, firm and chewy tannins and a long and intense finish. Some pine needles and dried spices on the finish. Needs time to soften. Try in 2021."

- James Suckling (April 2018), 94 pts

"Pinino dates back to 1874, when it was established by Tito Costani beneath the Montosoli hill. Today it is co-owned by an Austrian couple and a Spanish couple, working with consulting oenologist Paolo Vagaggini. Touches of flint and incense counter more overt notes of balsamic herbs and dark cherry. Silky, layered tannins build on the palate to become surprisingly powerful. This will need a couple of years before approaching. Drinking Window 2020 - 2032."

- Decanter (February 2018), 91 pts

A ruby red garnet color, ripe fruit aromas, dried fruits, hints of licorice and scents of vanilla. Robust and harmonious in the mouth, a rich texture. The wine is only produced in the best vintages.

The grapes are coming from a vineyard planted at 400 meters above sea level. The soil is mainly marl and limestone. 
The density of vines per hectare is 5,000 plants, which is equivalent to 2,000 vines per acre. 
The pruning technique used is cordon 
The grapes used are 100% Sangiovese grosso
Alcoholic fermentation was done in tank, while the Malo-Lactic fermentation was carried in oak barrels. 
Wine was then aged for one year in big French oak barrels and 3 years in Slavonian oak barrels.

Review:

"With only 1,000 bottles produced, the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a precious wine that might prove difficult to locate. This is a dark and syrupy expression with black fruit aromas of blackberry preserves and prune. You definitely taste the warmth and sunshine in this hot-vintage Sangiovese. The bouquet is intense and rich, but the wine is not as long-lived in terms of mouthfeel. This is a wine of immediate power and volume. - Monica Larner"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 92 points

"Medium dark red. High-pitched red berry and floral aromas, plus a hint of underbrush and smoked beef adding weight. Shows good depth and spicy red fruit character in the mouth, featuring a creamy texture and flourishes of cinnamon and mocha. The finish showcases lingering red fruit and savory elements. Much deeper and more interesting than Poggio Nardone’s disappointing 2013 Brunello. - Ian D'Agata"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (April 2018), 91 points

Aromas recall scorched earth, underbrush, stewed prune and coconut. Oak spices, vanilla and coffee dominate the warm palate. It lacks fruit richness and can’t stand up to the assertive tannins or the heat of evident alcohol.

Review:

"The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the nicest wine presented by Tenuta Vitanza this year. This expression definitely shows its oaky side but that new oak style (French tonneaux primarily) is characteristic of this estate located in the Torrenieri subzone that makes some of the darkest and most extracted expressions of Brunello regardless. Dark fruit, prune, plum, cherry, spice, cedar, cardamon and grilled herb all compete for your attention. The ensemble is bold, opulent and rich in a way that most other Brunello wines are not. There is a note of sourness on the tannins. Every once in a while you need a supersized Brunello to pair with that T-bone steak you crave. — Monica Larner"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 217, February 2015), 90 pts

Begali Amarone Classico is made from Corvina 65%, Rondinella 30%, other native grapes 5%

This wine is obtained from the drying of grapes that have been left to rest for 100 days, after a first careful selection in the vineyards and a second in the fruithouse. The wine is aged for about three years in oak big barrel, small barrel and then in the bottle.

Color: garnet red.

AROMA: intense, ethereal, spicy.

FLAVOUR: soft, dry, “warm”, solid and robust. S

ERVING SUGGESTIONS: ideal with second courses such as roasts, game, grilled meats and red meats in general.