Il Palazzone
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
This was a pre-Parson Il Palazzone, back when Mario Bollag (now Terralsole) owned the property. Dick (Parson) invested a lot into Il Palazzone after 2000 and the estate’s reputation today is largely known under his stuardship.
Poured into a decanter about 2 1/2 hours prior to service to remove sediment and give this 28-year old some air. In the glass, the 1996 pours a deep garnet with a brown tinge and a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with some VA and notes of desiccated, red and black fruit: Morello cherries, strawberries, brambles, figs, along with leather, porcini, forest floor, espresso, and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium, and the body is medium. White this freshened up with air (recommended), it is clearly in the sunset of its life. That being said, it has plenty of stories to tell. Drink now with a decant.
This was a pre-Parson Il Palazzone, back when Mario Bollag (now Terralsole) owned the property. Dick (Parson) invested a lot into Il Palazzone after 2000 and the estate’s reputation today is largely known under his stuardship.
Poured into a decanter about 2 1/2 hours prior to service to remove sediment and give this 28-year old some air. In the glass, the 1996 pours a deep garnet with a brown tinge and a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with some VA and notes of desiccated, red and black fruit: Morello cherries, strawberries, brambles, figs, along with leather, porcini, forest floor, espresso, and spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium, and the body is medium. White this freshened up with air (recommended), it is clearly in the sunset of its life. That being said, it has plenty of stories to tell. Drink now with a decant.
Great vintage, great Brunello. Tannins are well integrated.
Great vintage, great Brunello. Tannins are well integrated.
Jun 24th, 2021Tasted alongside the 2013 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was initially more reticent. Eventually, after letting it sit in the glass for about 30min and coming up to temp, damp earth (decomposing leaves), potpourri, sea breeze, mushrooms, and sandalwood on the nose. Cherry, black tea, and dried herbs on the palate. Towards the end of the bottle, this was gaining momentum and rivaling the 2013 in terms of enjoyability. Hold’em if you got’em. Better after 2025.
Tasted alongside the 2013 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was initially more reticent. Eventually, after letting it sit in the glass for about 30min and coming up to temp, damp earth (decomposing leaves), potpourri, sea breeze, mushrooms, and sandalwood on the nose. Cherry, black tea, and dried herbs on the palate. Towards the end of the bottle, this was gaining momentum and rivaling the 2013 in terms of enjoyability. Hold’em if you got’em. Better after 2025.
1 person found it helpfulJan 19th, 2021Tasted alongside the 2015 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was more open for business. Dark cherry, gym sock, dried herbs, leather, and tomato leaf on the nose. On the palate, dusty cherry fruit with black tea and dried herbs. Rustic. Quite an old school charmer! Towards the end of the bottle, this started to tighten back up a bit but it was still my favorite of the two vintages tonight. I expect this to enjoy a long life.
Tasted alongside the 2015 vintage. Both wines were opened about eight hours in advanced and allowed to slow-ox at cellar temp (51°F). Comparatively, this was more open for business. Dark cherry, gym sock, dried herbs, leather, and tomato leaf on the nose. On the palate, dusty cherry fruit with black tea and dried herbs. Rustic. Quite an old school charmer! Towards the end of the bottle, this started to tighten back up a bit but it was still my favorite of the two vintages tonight. I expect this to enjoy a long life.
1 person found it helpfulJan 19th, 2021
A complete wine. Delicious!
A complete wine. Delicious!
1 person found it helpfulJul 15th, 2018
Fruit forward but not entirely the focus, hints of old world elegance and subtle notes of spice and earth.
Fruit forward but not entirely the focus, hints of old world elegance and subtle notes of spice and earth.
Jan 28th, 2016More fruit and size texturally than the 2010, with crushed red cherry fruit and tobacco spice.
More fruit and size texturally than the 2010, with crushed red cherry fruit and tobacco spice.
Jan 28th, 2016