Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2001

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2001

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigne del Paretaio 2001 is the most critically acclaimed wine ever produced by Riccardo Talenti's estate in the southern region of Montalcino close by the village of S.Angelo in Colle. Riccardo, the son of Brunello trailblazer, Pierluigi Talenti, once the chief winemaker at Il Poggione, now has 20ha of vines producing top class and well priced, consistent Brunello di Montalcino as well a very respectable Rosso and an interesting blend, "Talenti" combining Sangiovese, Syrah, Canaiola and Colorino. Its with the Riserva Vigne del Paretaio though that this producer really comes into their own.

The Riserva is only produced in outstanding years. 2001 was a 5 star vintage for Brunello walking off with many international awards. The Riserva wine goes through a heavy grape selection, such low yields from a small site equal a low production and astronomical prices. Don't expect to pay less than £50/60/$70 for a bottle of the 2001. The wine matures in barrel for a full year longer than the standard Brunello bottling, the Riserva does not really become accessible for a good 6-8 years which means.... *drum roll* its about good to drink now.

Which is what I did.

"Where the hell have you been?" I logged into my emails yesterday to find an angry mob, well, a virtual angry mob, and less angry than slightly miffed. Well, you'll all be pleased to know I've been deathly sick! For about a full month I have been sick with tonsillitis followed by a bout of the flu. Strangely enough the doctor did not prescribe me with copious amounts of wine and it was only this weekend that I could get my eye in once more, and return to my first love, getting blotto.

To mark the occasion I chose the Talenti Brunello, for those of you in the know, Talenti is the name of the Roman suburb I first moved to when I started my Italian escapades. It seemed only fitting that my return from absence should be marked by a wine so exquisite.

This wine was fabulous. Perhaps it was the fact my taste buds had been deprived for so long, or perhaps it was the narcotic mix of Lempsips and Nytol but I can happily award this wine a stonking 94 points. You're unlikely to come across it, but if you do come across any Talenti Brunello di Montalcino, from decent years, you will find yourself with a 90+ point wine.

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigne del Paretaio 2001 - BUY - €65

Intense deep ruby red in the glass with a punchy and fast releasing nose, acres of fruit, dark chocolate, tobacco, blackberries and almost Barolo-esque earthiness are a treat. On the palate the wine is well balanced, firm tannins and a lengthy finish combine. Just Champion. 94 Points

So, I'm back Jack. You can expect regular updates from this point forth, come hell or high water, 5 inches of snow (as we have in London today) or partial lung collapse, I will be here battling for your Italian wine needs. Till next time ( tomorrow, or the mob are round ).

Where can I buy this wine?

The cheapest I could find it was in the States. We drank it all prematurely here :(

New York's finest - De Vino - $80

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How've ya bin?

Eos Paso Robles Petite Sirah

Eos Paso Robles Petite Sirah

Eos Paso Robles Petite Sirah 2005 is not the wine I thought I'd be writing about today. Having attended the Decanter Fine Wine encounter last weekend and with over 50 notes its incredible that the Eos Paso Robles Petite Sirah is the wine that has moved me to write my first blog entry in two weeks. My lack of blogtiviy hasn't been down to sheer laziness, that in fact makes up for only about 50% of it. The other 50% is the Christmas madness that wine stores, online or offline, face around this time of year with The Cellar Door being at its busiest EVA!

That's a good enough excuse? Ok, let's press on.

Last weekends Decanter event showcased some of the very best wines in the world. I made my way round Finca Sophenia, Grant Burge, Peter Lehmann, Chateau Faugeres, Craggy Range, Maison Chapoutier and the best of the Italian stands including Petrolo, Planeta, Feudi di San Gregorio and Braida. If that wasn't excitement enough I also got to rub shoulders with a certain Steven Spurrier and the very talented Oz Clarke. Trying over 50 wines on the Sunday of the event and not figuring out sooner that I really should spit meant I felt I should take my leave at around 2pm still with some great wines untried. Live and Learn! If you're interested in the tasting notes from this event I'll post them on the next Wine90 entry.

So onto what I've become most excited about over the last 2 weeks and that is the £10, available at Wine Rack, beautifully fragrant and oh so long on the finish Eos Paso Robles Petite Sirah. I have to admit to never having heard of the winery Eos. Californian wines not being my strong suit I was quite sure this would be an outside bet for my £10 but, low and behold, and really for the first time since coming home I've found a bargain.

I'm in love with Petite Sirah generally, I've enjoyed the limited amount of Petit Sirahs I've been able to get my hands on whilst living in Italy and whenever I see a Petite Sirah in a wine shop I make a grab for it. Completely undervalued and virtually unknown to the general populus in the UK, Petite Sirah is something you should be drinking in 2009. If you haven't yet compiled your new years resolutions then "drink lots of Petite Sirah" should be the first on your list.

Although labelled Petite Sirah the Eos bottling contains small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Franc but with Petite Sirah making up 96.8% of the blend and no indication of these other varietals on the bottle I'm not sure why the winemaker has opted to add the other grapes. If you know, add a comment below. Aged for 22 months in new and old oak (some of it French!) the wine is surprisingly cheap considering the quality and the effort the winemaker appears to have taken. As a late harvest grape, Paso Robles is the ideal terroir for Petite Sirah as the rains come later than in Napa or Sonoma. Education part over, the upshot is that this wine has an exquisite nose, thick and ripe in the palate with a finish that makes your eyebrows raise and twitch. Long story short, this wine rocks and you need to try it ASAP.

EOS Paso Robles Petite Sirah 2005 - BUY - £10
Deep purple in the glass and right off the bat you are hit with a blockbuster nose of cherries, spices and pepper detectable even to those with a touch of the flu. On the palate the wine is thick and jammy with a lustrous mouthfeel, flavourful and smooth with acres of blackcurrent in the mid palate. 14% alcohol held with absolute style, nothing harsh or hot in the finish which goes on and on with notes of chocolate. Not really complex just simply delicious. 90 Points

Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans - Talking Wines - €12
Americans - Napa Cabs - $10
Brits - Talking Wines - £9.99 (or in Wine Rack/Threshers)

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Are you into Petite Sirah? Do you have a favourite? Share your Petite Sirah experiences and recommend Petite Sirah wines to me cos I can't get enough of 'em. Cheers.