BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO 2007 & 2006 ‘Riserva’- Superlative New releases from FULIGNI and COLLEMATTONI
Brunello di Montalcino has enjoyed a recent run of great vintages, but never had two such great consecutive vintages as it did with 2007 and 2006. The release of both the 2007 vintage of Brunello, and the fabulous 2006 ‘Riserva’ is an exciting double, for both Italian and French wine lovers alike. The question is, which is the better vintage?
Roberto Fuligni says ‘it is difficult to say that either one of these five star vintages is better than the other, only that they are different’. And so they are, the 2007 wines being immensely complete and elegant, difficult to resist even now, while the 2006 wines are more vibrant, with higher acidity and mostly in need of longer bottle age.
James Suckling states the ‘2007 Brunello di Montalcinos are Superlative Quality’, and that he is ‘incredibly impressed with the richness of the wines. They are wonderfully fruity with a purity of ripe Sangiovese that is seldom seen from the vineyards surrounding the hilltop town of Montalcino. The bright fruit in the wines overshadowed their firm tannins and fresh acidities, yet they remain agile with tension…it’s never been a better time to buy and drink Brunello.’
He goes on to say ‘I view the current release of 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riservas as yet another chance to buy and drink more extraordinary Brunellos from an extraordinary vintage. The 2006 Brunello di Montalcinos remain my favourite Brunellos ever despite the 2007s being so wonderful. The 2006s have a little more freshness, a little more subtlety, and a little more class. I love the richness yet tension to the 2006s. I love their vibrant acidity and energy. They challenge you with their complexity and structure. They intrigue you with how they change in the glass.’
Both Fuligni and Collemattoni have released fabulous wines, and customers who have bought in the past will know how well they improve with bottle age, and what delicious drinking they offer as they reach maturity. These are outstandingly good wines and offer fantastic value for money, especially when you consider what you might buy in Bordeaux at equivalent prices, even this year.
OPENING OFFER – these offer prices are valid until 31st March 2012, at which stage the offer will close. The wines will become available for delivery during the month of April 2012.
COLLEMATTONI
Collemattoni’s wines, once rather rustic by comparison, have improved immeasurably and are no less fine, only fuller bodied and richer and more easily approached in their youth.
2007 BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO Collemattoni
Full bodied and ripe, with dark fruits and fine tannins this drinks well immediately and will be good over the next five years and more. As ever great value too.
£300.00 per dozen bottles inclusive of duty and Vat (£250 ex Vat/£220 In Bond)
£58.80 per single magnum* inclusive of duty and Vat (£49 ex Vat/£45 In Bond)* Subject to minimum order of 9 litres from this offer.
Dark crimson. A bit of balsamic on the nose so a teensy bit chunky but overall fine and savoury and elegant and polished though with quite an undertow. Good acidity. Racy and sinewy. Very appetising. (Tasted October 2010) 17 points.
Jancis Robinson MW OBE – www.jancisrobinson.com
Dried dark fruits, with dried tannins on the nose. Full body, with fine tannins and a balanced, pretty finish. Bright and clean. 92 points.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2006 BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO ‘Vigna Fontelontano’ Riserva Collemattoni
Another fabulous effort from Marcello Bucci, the 2006 ‘Fontelontano Riserva’ is an exciting wine. Richly textured and full of stuffing, yet with all the racy acidity of the vintage making it a wine that will be worth holding onto for a few years before drinking, and capable of ageing a decade thereafter.
£516.00 per dozen bottles inclusive of duty and Vat (£430 ex Vat/£400 In Bond)
£96.00 per single magnum* inclusive of duty and Vat (£80 ex Vat/£75 In Bond) * Subject to minimum order of 9 litres from this offer.
Transparent yet lively ruby. Very meaty and lively. Real lift and meatiness and liquorice to this. Exciting stuff. Very dense and deliberate. Rich, dusty and quite youthful. Blustering for the moment but it should shed its puppy fat and become much more rewarding. (Tasted October 2010) 16.5 points.
Jancis Robinson MW OBE – www.jancisrobinson.com
Subtle aromas of meat, berries and earth follow though to a full body, with soft and silky tannins and a fruity finish. Delicious now. 93 points.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
Eredi FULIGNI
Fuligni’s wines are among the most ‘aristocratic’ in style, tight and linear when youthful and immensely fine and elegant with bottle age.
2007 BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO Fuligni
A fabulously complete and expressive Brunello with ripe tannins, succulent fruit and lovely finish. This will be more immediate drinking than the racier 2006, but have no doubt about the fact that it will also age very well in bottle for a decade or more.
£396.00 per dozen bottles inclusive of duty and Vat (£330 ex Vat/£308 In Bond)
£72.00 per single magnum* inclusive of duty and Vat (£60 ex Vat/£55 In Bond) * Subject to minimum order of 9 litres from this offer.
Black cherry and black tea aromas follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a succulent finish. Wonderful combination of bright acidity and savory fruit. Will age wonderfully. Better in 2015. 95 points.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
2006 BRUNELLO di MONTALCINO Riserva Fuligni
With all the vibrancy and purity of the 2006 vintage, the ‘Riserva’ is all the more concentrated and mucular with a tremendous life ahead. A stunning wine which should be cellared for a decade and more.
£600.00 per dozen bottles inclusive of duty and Vat (£500 ex Vat/£470 In Bond)
£106.80 per single magnum* inclusive of duty and Vat (£89 ex Vat/£85 In Bond) * Subject to minimum order of 9 litres from this offer.
Very perfumed aromas of ripe fruit such as strawberries and blackberries. Turns to flowers and incense. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a bright, citrus aftertaste and ultra-clean fruit. The purity and focus of the wine is spellbinding. Better in 2015. 96 points.
James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
From tank (Oct 2010). Dense, savoury and liquorice on the nose. Exciting and lean and lively. Racy. Filigree. Transparent and with great life. Racy and thoroughbred. Promises very well. The muscular build of a great Côte Rôtie. 18.5 points.
Jancis Robinson MW OBE – www.jancisrobinson.com
OPENING OFFER: These offer prices are valid until 31st March 2012, at which stage the offer will close.
TO ORDER: Please email your order with final delivery instructions or call any one of our stores.
DELIVERY: The wines will become available in April and May and delivered shortly thereafter.
BOND DELIVERIES: Please specify if you are ordering In Bond, together with your account details. All Bond orders will be subject to a £15 documentation and delivery charge, except for Elephant Storage account holders.
LEA & SANDEMAN
170 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9PR
T: 020 7244 0522
F: 020 7244 0533