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Brunello is magic. No other Sangioveses compare to Brunello di Montalcino. Wine Spectator tells us that "It is a great time for Brunello di Montalcino." and that "If you want to understand what great Italian wine is all about, buy a bottle of Brunello."
The Piccini family has tenderly worked their vines since 1882, starting with a small estate with little more than 17 acres of vineyards, now grown to over four estates, located in some of the most emblematic wine regions in all of Italy. Their passion for quality and authenticity has given them a name that is one of the best-known in Italy.
Its impressive pursuit of quality is what has guided Tenute Piccini to quickly become one of the leading wine estates in Italy. Wine Enthusiast said this Tenuta is "one of the most dynamic and innovative wineries in Italy today." Piccini is an example of tradition. Piccini's owner Mario Piccini says “All we do in the present time is present in the past and also will be for the future.” These are the words they live and produce.
Inarguably, Montalcino is one of the most suitable wine-growing regions in Italy and Brunello is a testament to this. To create this masterpiece, only Sangiovese Grosso is used. These grapes are handpicked when perfectly ripe between late September and October. Fermented for 15-20 days in stainless steel, then stored in oak barrels for at least 4 years. The complexity of this Brunello di Montalcino is derived from its aging period where it slowly absorbs the wood aromas and fragrances. This amazing Brunello is carefully cellared by the winery and released until it's ready, that's at least 5 years after harvest.
With its complex and evolved fullness, this is an ideal pairing with roasts and mature, strong cheeses.
Aging: 5 years: 20 months in oak barrels; 4 months in barriques.
Tasting Notes: 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Poggio al Sale Brunello di Montalcino has a bright garnet red color and intense, complex, lingering, full aromas with strong hints of ripe red fruit and vanilla. It is evolved, harmonious and velvety on the palate with a lingering flavor.
NYR
About the Wine
Chateau Saint Pierre dates back to the 17th century. Henri Martin purchased the classified Fourth Growth Medoc estate in 1982. Henri Martin's family has a long history in the Bordeaux region, dating back more than 300 years. Today Chateau Saint Pierre is managed by Jean-Louis Triaud, who also manages Chateau Gloria and owns the Girondins de Bordeaux, the professional football team of Bordeaux.
The majority of their vines are located near the village of Saint Julien not far from Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou which retails for $200 a bottle. On average their vines are 50 years old. Saint-Julien has the highest concentration of cru classés with 11 over 900 hectares.
Chateau Saint Pierre is one of the few classified growths that does not produce a second wine. With complete focus on the Grand Vin and leading the use of technology in winemaking, it is no surprise this Grand Vin hailed a 'Bravo!' from multiple critics. Chateau Saint Pierre Saint-Julien was one of the first estates to use satellite imagery to help identify when parcels are ready to pick.
Aging: 14 to 16 months in French Oak
Tasting Notes: Red Wine. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 10% Cabernet Franc. Full-bodied, round, and refined. The nose shows espresso, blackberry, and floral notes.
Reviews
This 17-hectare estate has been rejuvenated by owner Jean-Louis Triaud and is certainly producing some of the top wines from the appellation today. I tasted the deep, inky-colored 2015 Château Saint-Pierre twice and it’s reminiscent of the 2010, only with more elegance. In 2015 the wine is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc and it spent 14 months in 50% new and 50% once used barrels. Chocolate-covered dark fruits, damp earth, tobacco leaf, and lead pencil shaving-like notes emerge from this huge, concentrated beauty that has building tannin and a huge mid-palate. It’s an incredible wine that builds with time in the glass, has no hard edges, and is going to 3-4 decades of life. Bravo! ~97 Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Saint-Pierre offers more fruit on the nose than the Gruaud Larose with quite fabulous blackberry laced with pencil lead and tobacco. There is real joie de vivre and intensity here. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but quite firm tannin, very well balanced and pure with a gentle but insistent, mineral-driven, quite sinewy finish that is an absolute treat. This comes highly recommended. Tasted twice both in London and Bordeaux at the property. Bravo. ~94 Wine Advocate
This wine has a very toasty style, with spice and wood tannins that give an extracted character with some bitterness. That contrasts with the fruit that is developing, and it seems that the wood will integrate over time. Drink from 2025. ~92 Wine Enthusiast
