100% Sangiovese from Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy.
SRP of $37 and available for around $25, and occasionally for as low as $19.99, which is the price I paid for this bottle. (While technically that means this wine meets our $20 limit, since that price is uncommon we'll cover it here as a Saturday Splurge.) 441 cases produced, imported by Winebow.
From the winery:
"Made from 100% Sangiovese, estate grown in the Teatro and Sorgente vineyards, at an average altitude of 1,400-1,500 feet above sea level. The grapes are harvested at the end of September and the wine is aged in large, 500 liter French oak tonneaux for 12 months.
This Rosso is deep ruby red in color and offers complex aromas of ripe berries and spice. Full-bodied, lush, and beautifully structured, it more resembles a baby Brunello rather than a traditional Rosso di Montalcino.
14.5% Alcohol"
Rosso di Montalcino, the so-called Baby Brunello, is grown in the exact same area as Brunello di Montalcino but is made from younger vines and requires much less ageing (both in oak and in the bottle). Importantly for us these wines are also typically less than half the cost of their renowned big brother.
Both are full-bodied wines made from 100% Sangiovese, but Rosso di Montalcino tends to be a fresher, more approachable wine that can be enjoyed right away...sounds perfect for Reverse Wine Snobs! Of course, even at half the cost of Brunello di Montalcino most of these wines are out of our price range so we had to stretch a bit today to include this one.
The 2006 Podere Salicutti Rosso di Montalcino begins with a really lovely aroma of ripe dark berry fruit, a little licorice and cola and a hint of smoked meat and leather. The wine tastes lush with lots of juicy blackberry, a little spice and some nice oaky undertones. Firm tannins lead into the dry and even a bit chewy finish. Very nice...way to go baby brother!
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.
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