• The following 2013 Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino matured 30 months in oak casks plus 12 months in seasoned oak tonneaux and finally eight to ten months in bottle before release
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Palazzo Brunello di Montalcino 2013
DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, Italy $69.95 (660746) 14.5% alcohol
Only produced in the best years, this vendemmia 2013 is 100% sangiovese grosso and transports you directly to Tuscany with its expressive aromas of dry cherry, forest floor, leather, cinnamon and star anise. A silky-textured stream of juicy red cherry and pomegranate followed with dry cherry and a suggestion of unsweetened plum pudding flavour enchants the palate. This first-class Brunello is medium-full bodied with perfectly integrated alcohol, extra-fine, yet well-defined, tannin shaping the superb, long, heart-warming finish that keeps evolving on stewed prune and tobacco notes. Aerate/decant one hour and pour now to 2025 with rich, slowly-braised, beef short-ribs (Louise Boutin)
90
Famiglia Zingarelli ‘Rocca delle Macie’ Chianti Classico Riserva 2015
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $24.95 (930966) 14.0% alcohol
This opens with aromas of piquant spice, red cherry/berry fruit and oaky notes. It’s a lively red blend of 90% sangiovese, 5% cabernet sauvignon and 5% merlot dishing up a refreshing stream of palate-bathing fruit—black currant, ripe red cherry and hints of passionfruit—interwoven with spice box and savoury herbs. It’s medium-plus bodied and smooth as silk on the palate as it transitions to replays on the crisp, dry, lengthy finish. Pour with pasta puttanesca or veal cacciatore. (Vic Harradine)
92
Closerie des Alisiers Petit Chablis 2016
AOC Petit Chablis, France $25.95 (557769) 12.0% alcohol
A pretty nose of Bartlett pear, yellow apple, grapefruit, white flower and slate minerality paves the way to a flow of ripe pear, tangy citrus and mineral flavours deliciously coating the palate. This is medium-bodied, 100% stainless-steel fermented and aged 12 months before bottling. It’s deftly balanced and offers a persistent fruity and mineral, delightfully elegant finish. Pour with your favourite seafood dish or a Dijon mustard pork-loin. (Louise Boutin)