Brunello Di Montalcino - Ten Bottles From The 2012 Vintage

David & Ulf arranged a great tasting dinner a couple of weeks ago. The theme was some fine producers of Brunello and the vintage 2012. We had a bottle of Champagne and some really nice bottles of Riesling to begin with, but those will come in a later post.
The Brunellos were tasted single blind.

2012 Brunello di Montalcino, Cerbaiona
A very juicy, fresh nose with lovely ripe cherries and additional aromas of tobacco, Tuscan gravel and herbs. The cherries has gotten a sligth kiss of oak. Very fine.
The taste is stern and seedy with notes of ripe cherries, salmiak, herbs and warm tiles. Really juicy tannins. The finish is long and distinct. Great structure. This will surely make it to the high 90´s in 10+ years.
95p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino, Salvioni
I felt a slight disappointment when the bottle was revealed. Not at all a bad wine, but being from my favourite Brunello producer, it was a bit of a let down.
The nose is deep, earthy and herbal with notes of bonfire, ripe cherries, a touch of cherry liquor and some meaty scents. Big and warm. Very deep.
The taste is tight and concentrated with lots of ripe black cherries and notes of scorched earth, ink and sweet licorice. Very long. The tannins are a tad rugged. Will time make this more harmonious?
91p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino, Il Marroneto
The Normale from Il Marroneto is a beauty, with a deep, concentrated nose full of dark cherries, undergrowth, fir wood, rosemary and gravel. Very balanced and fine.
The taste is seedy and cool with notes of dried up cherry jam, licorice, herbs and gravel. Refined. Steady yet silky tannins. Very balanced. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Colombaio Montosoli, Baricci
A new acquaintance for me (and after tasting it, hopefully my first and last encounter), this Brunello shows an open, superficial nose with notes of dried strawberries, old leather, dog fur and a high, almost yesty note.
The taste is warm and a tad foursquare with notes of dry licorice, dried cherries, asphalt and old herbs. Somewhat empty in the middle and there is a heat in the finish. A bad bottle or is this what this producer puts out?
82p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova, Casanova di Neri
A stunner! The nose is deep, yet open and flirty with notes of ripe cherries, dark chocolate, fried rosemary, earth and a fine balsamic scent. Really fine.
The taste has got it all - structure, finesse, balance, fruit and tannins in harmony, it just needs 8+ years in the cellar. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, Ciacci Piccolomino d´Arragona
The Pianrosso is a perennial favourite of mine and the 2012 doesn´t disappoint. The nose is deep and multi layered with notes of violets, Tuscan gravel, ripe red currants and cherries and a fine tobacco aroma. A cool refinement. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of ripe cherries, roses, earth, tobacco and a hint of asphalt. Very long and focused. Lovely. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, Altesino
A big, warm nose with notes of cherry liqour, band aid, scorched earth and bonfire. Ripe and rich, maybe a tad too much. Lots of sweet cherry fruit.
The taste is concentrated and warm with notes of cooked cherries, bonfire, warm herbs and violet pastilles. Very long and warm. Too marked by the vintage.
87p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucére, San Filippo
A deep, complex nose with notes of ripe red cherries with some blueberries tossed in, spices, violets and rosemary. Very refined. Lovely.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, tobacco, violets and risemary. Silky tannins. Lots of energy and balance. Great wine.
93p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino, Conti Costanti
A fine, warm, spicy nose with notes of dark cherries, bonfire, tobacco, herbs and a fine earthiness. Dense and fine. Deep. Very, very good.
The taste is finely tuned yet inviting and warm with notes of salmiak, ripe cherries, wort flavored bread, tobacco and red beets. Long, fine and interesting. Needs 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2018/05)

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie, Il Marroneto
Aaaaah! What a bottle of wine. This has an extra layer compared to the others, with laser focus, the finest fruit imaginable, concentration en masse yet lively and direct. Mint infused cherries, expensive tobacco, rosemary, asphalt, violets and moist earth are just few of the aromas you get when you coax the glass.
The taste is exactly like the worn expression - "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Everything in balance, every screw and nut in the right place, the tannins are polished with the finest cloth and the finish goes on for over a minute. Give this 8+ years and you are looking at perfection.
98p   (tasted 2018/05)