Bottega 2008 Brunello Montalcino
- vinterest
- Jun 4, 2015
- 1 min read
The low-down: Brunello di Montalcino, along with Barolo and the Super Tuscans, are Italy's most celebrated wines. However you do have to be careful with brunello ... in the 1960s there were 11 producers, today over 200. Where did they come from? What practices do they employ? And where did this wine growing land come from?
Bottega traces its history to the 1920s with a heritage of wine trading before moving into grappa distilling. They acquired an unnamed Brunello producer in 2011 and began marketing their branded Brunello in the following year.
This was a gift - but we've seen it at Dubai Duty Free. Last year we opened a 2006 Fattoi Brunello di Montalcino and a 2001 Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino and earlier this year a 2011 Col D'Orcia Rosso di Montalcino.
The take: An orangey-red appearance, with a pale, light transparency. The edges are clearly light and the legs slow. The nose is not strong - with hints of black fruits, savoury tomato and chalk. With time notes of jam and boiled potatoes. The attack is smooth with some chunky tannins. After a decant it remains alcoholic, strong and acidic. Some fruit emerges but no sugar. It's not as smooth and subtle as the other brunellos we have had. With time vanilla dominates the palate with raisins and oak.
In closing: Vanilla oak and raisins.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10.
Fact corner:
Country: Italy
Region: Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG)
Producer: Bottega
Vintage: 2008
Grape: Sangiovese (Grosso)
Alcohol content: 14.5%
Serving temperature: 16-18°
Price range: Premium
