La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Rich and aromatic. Soaring, spicy red fruit.
Cinnamon. Sarsaparilla. Tannin and fruit working in tandem. Gonna be a real beauty in 5-7 years.
Rich and aromatic. Soaring, spicy red fruit.
Cinnamon. Sarsaparilla. Tannin and fruit working in tandem. Gonna be a real beauty in 5-7 years.
Solid, tight full bodied brunello with a core of black fruit and spices. Needs time to open. Typical for a 2016.
Solid, tight full bodied brunello with a core of black fruit and spices. Needs time to open. Typical for a 2016.
Sep 4th, 2022
Comforting flavors of earth and cedar wood, with dusty cherry notes. Tight with firm tannins upon opening, but shows depth and complexity after opening up for an hour. A little warm at 14.5% ABV.
Comforting flavors of earth and cedar wood, with dusty cherry notes. Tight with firm tannins upon opening, but shows depth and complexity after opening up for an hour. A little warm at 14.5% ABV.
Jul 10th, 2021
This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. No visual signs of age. Initially quite the performer with gorgeous cherry fruit, baking spice, earth, mushroom. On the palate, slightly darker fruited, cocoa and what I sometimes refer to as “Tuscan dust”. After about an hour, I started to pick up a touch of brettanomyces which made the earth more pronounced. Another remarkable quality of this wine was its plush texture; almost velvet-like.
Revealed as the 1997 La Rasina. I believe this is my first experience with this producer though I’ve seen it around for years. This came across a touch modern yet I was told that this was back when botti were being used. Regardless, a lovely wine and a lovely showing for a 23 year old wine. At about hour two in the glass, I thought this started to lose some of its energy, just as the “La Palazzetta” started to come into its own. I would drink these sooner than later if I had some hanging out in my cellar.
This bottle was one in a brace of Brunellos, generously shared and curated by our friend Tim.
Served blind after a lengthy slow-ox, I knew we were drinking Brunello di Montalcino but that’s it. No visual signs of age. Initially quite the performer with gorgeous cherry fruit, baking spice, earth, mushroom. On the palate, slightly darker fruited, cocoa and what I sometimes refer to as “Tuscan dust”. After about an hour, I started to pick up a touch of brettanomyces which made the earth more pronounced. Another remarkable quality of this wine was its plush texture; almost velvet-like.
Revealed as the 1997 La Rasina. I believe this is my first experience with this producer though I’ve seen it around for years. This came across a touch modern yet I was told that this was back when botti were being used. Regardless, a lovely wine and a lovely showing for a 23 year old wine. At about hour two in the glass, I thought this started to lose some of its energy, just as the “La Palazzetta” started to come into its own. I would drink these sooner than later if I had some hanging out in my cellar.
If this is any indication the hype over 2015 Brunello is justified. It’s terrific- lots of cedar, leather, violet, black cherry, Forest floor - great depth, beautifully integrated tannins, elegant structure. Finish goes on and on.
If this is any indication the hype over 2015 Brunello is justified. It’s terrific- lots of cedar, leather, violet, black cherry, Forest floor - great depth, beautifully integrated tannins, elegant structure. Finish goes on and on.
Jul 2nd, 2020
WOTN and possible wine of the year for me. Previously frozen bottle with mold all over the cork. Mind blowing elegance and rich fruit with perfect Tuscan characteristics. Everyone was blown away by this wine.
WOTN and possible wine of the year for me. Previously frozen bottle with mold all over the cork. Mind blowing elegance and rich fruit with perfect Tuscan characteristics. Everyone was blown away by this wine.
Aug 10th, 2017
A solid Brunello, classic profile and well-balanced. Black cherry, bright acid and fairly big tannins for a cool vintage (from last night)
A solid Brunello, classic profile and well-balanced. Black cherry, bright acid and fairly big tannins for a cool vintage (from last night)
3 people found it helpfulAug 14th, 2014
Dark chocolate, savory.
Dark chocolate, savory.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 29th, 2016
Hard for me to get past how green the nose is. Super stemmy, almost to the point of underripe Cab. Palate has some nice texture but like TCA, it's hard to escape the greenness of the wine.
Hard for me to get past how green the nose is. Super stemmy, almost to the point of underripe Cab. Palate has some nice texture but like TCA, it's hard to escape the greenness of the wine.
1 person found it helpfulAug 15th, 2015
Light ruby in the glass. Earthy leathery notes on the nose. Full body on the palette with some spice. Lingering finish! Excellent Tuscany Wine.
Light ruby in the glass. Earthy leathery notes on the nose. Full body on the palette with some spice. Lingering finish! Excellent Tuscany Wine.
1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2015