A classic Brunello showcasing all the nuances the alluring Sangiovese grape can offer. This wine undergoes 42 months of aging prior to release, 36 months in oak and six months bottle aging. Even with all that time in oak and on the shelf this wine still need a few more years cellaring before all the flavors are matured enough to exhibit the full spectrum the winemaker has made available to those consumers who have the patience to wait. If you uncork this one before 2014 plan on a decanting time of an hour or two using traditional decanting methods and if you are using an aerator you might shorten that time to 45 minutes if you use a Soiree.

With over seven centuries of winemaking experience the house of Marchesi de Frescobaldi has the technique and style that comes from having practiced the art until perfection was achieved in great vintages and very good wines are made even when the vintage did not present pristine fruit to the winemaker. The aromas start with a strong component of red stone fruit and red floral notes. The flavors are faint in the beginning begging for more time in the glass before consumption but the plum, red fruit mingled with a fresh tobacco are apparent showcasing what this wine will have to offer when the fine grained tannins are fully integrated into the flavor profile. The minerality peeks through on the finish, which is medium in length and well balanced. The overall package has a fair amount of acidity and has the ability to pair well with the regional cuisine from Tuscany.

Rating: Excellent (90) | $72 | 13.5% ABV

Find this wine to buy: WineZap.com

Photo credit: http://tastingnotes.dk