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2012 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino VV

Light label condition issue

Removed from a professional wine storage facility; Purchased direct from winery

Ends Sunday, 7pm Pacific

RATINGS

95James Suckling

Aromas of sweet tobacco, hints of coffee and cherry notes follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish.

95Wine Enthusiast

Truffle, forest floor, baked plum and cake spice aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather and pipe tobacco on this bold full-bodied red. The enveloping palate seamlessly combines concentration and finesse, doling out fleshy black cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, licorice and mocha alongside big velvety tannins that give the finish nice grip and a polished texture.

92The Wine Advocate

...represents a clear step up in terms of intensity and complexity... The nose shows a thick patchwork of dark cherry, plum, spice, leather and grilled herb aromas. The mouthfeel is round, supple and soft initially...

92+ Vinous / IWC

... Reticent but pure and very fresh aromas of blackberry, red cherry and menthol. Penetrating acidity accentuates the red and black fruit flavors, providing excellent cut and precision to the middle palate...

18Jancis Robinson

... Sweet and sultry on the nose. Deep and with mature undergrowth mixed with spiced, sweet red senescent fruit. A fine chewy texture and finishes with mouth-watering freshness.

REGION

Italy, Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino is entirely Sangiovese. Montalcino itself is a picturesque, hill-top town not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine. Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.

VINTAGE

2012 Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino VV