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My Favorite Red of the Day!

I attended a blind tasting yesterday with Master Sommeliers Andrew McNamara and Matt Stamp. Not only is it always very educational to taste with such knowledgeable wine pros, but it’s also a great chance to taste some nice wines!

My favorite of yesterday’s red flight was the 2010 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino.

Brunello is a clone of the well-known Sangiovese grape. Sangiovese is Italy’s most planted single grape variety. It comprises 67% of Tuscan vineyard acreage and is the main grape in 25 DOC(G)s of Tuscany. Sangiovese is an ancient grape and tends to be genetically unstable and very adaptable. Because of this, many clones exist.

Brunello is thought, by many, to be the ultimate Sangiovese clone! Grown in the beautiful region of Montalcino, the grape tends to have thicker skins and more anthocyanin (plant colorants) than other clones of Sangiovese.  Therefore, the wine tends to be richer in color and deeper in tannic structure than say, Chianti, another wine made with the Sangiovese grape. 

The 2010 Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino is a dark colored wine with bright red fruit, tobacco, a touch of mint and some vanilla on the nose. The palate is wonderfully silky with great expressions of the fruit, especially tart cherry and raspberry, some spice, mouth-watering acidity and velvety tannins. The long finish of this elegant wine completes the deliciousness.

The 2010 vintage for Brunello is considered by many to be outstanding. So … if you happen to run across any of the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, grab them and lay them down for a few years. You won’t be disappointed!

http://www.ciaccipiccolomini.com

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