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What We Say 2004 Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G.
BIO-DYNAMIC/ORGANIC WINE ALERT:
This is an exceptionally rare and small quantity wine that is from one of the first 100% Bio-Dynamic and Organic producers in the Montalcino region. The Wine Spies has secured a very limited allocation and will be offering it at an exceptional price today. If you are a fan of big Tuscan classics, get yourself some of this delicious Brunello di Montalcino.
EXCLUSIVE WINE ALERT:
Today’s Brunello di Montalcino selection is not only an exceptional wine from a great vintage, but is also exclusively available through The Wine Spies.
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT!
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Psst!, today’s code for free ground shipping on orders of six or more is ITALIANSPY.
Mission Codename: BioDynamic First, Flavor Forever
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Secure an exclusive and value oriented Super Tuscan for our operatives.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Podere il Cocco
Wine Subject: 2004 Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G.
Winemaker: Mirco Bindo
Backgrounder:
Brunello di Montalcino occupies a special place in the hearts of all Wine Spies. Coming from a very distinct and designated (DOCG – officially designated in 1967 as one of Italy’s first DOC classified wines) region in Tuscany about 70 miles south of Florence, Brunellos typically are the best wines produced from the Sangiovese grape. By regulation, Brunellos must be produced by using a 100% Brunello clone of the Sangiovese grape, hence the mystic and lore of this exceptional wine. Typically, Brunellos are among the most expensive Italian wines, which is why today’s wine is such an exceptional offering. Today’s selection is 100% Bio-Dynamic and organic and Podere il Cocco was one of the first farms in Montalcino to achieve this status.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – With 5 years in barrel, this wines’ deep ruby red shows a dense patina through its clear well developed core. When swirled, evenly spaced fat legs immediately appear as the slightly viscous wine settles quickly.
Smell – Balanced aromas of rich red fruit with aromatic herbal notes layer over woody oak and complex balsam. Vanilla and caramel, smoke, exotic spice, cherry cola and licorice emerges as this wine opens.
Feel – Smooth and plush, this full-bodied dry wine’s rich and soft tannins and balanced acidity coats the palate with an expansive almost chewy quality.
Taste – Classic dark and red fruit including red and black cherry and blackberry harmoniously melds with this wine’s herbal and spice components. Add soft vanilla oak and other woody flavors, hints of soft sweet cigar tobacco and leather and a touch of floral violets.
Finish – Long , almost inviting contemplation, this wine’s classic red fruit and other complex notes linger for several minutes.
Conclusion – The 2004 Podere il Cocco Brunello di Montalcino is a delicious and very approachable Brunello with plenty of complexity that starts on the nose and lingers long into the finish. Generous complexity and well developed in structure with rich ripe tannins. Like all wines that have extended barrel aging, we recommend decanting this wine or letting it open up for a couple hours (in our case it tasted great with breakfast – wine at breakfast?, while decadent yes, but its how we roll sometimes).
Mission Report:
Agent Baco Noir had been hard at work, when I met up with her in Siena I could tell she was tired of being in the field for such an extended tour of duty. Not that she was complaining, drinking the finest wines from Italy, but sometimes you need a break. We couldn’t afford to let up for a single moment though. The evil cadre of O.D.S.W. (Only Drink Supermarket Wines) were constantly trying to foil our exploits and force the us to drink a world of boring mass produced flavorless wines.
I knew the perfect way to rejuvenate Baco. A short visit to a small farm with an exceptional view. Don’t tell Agent Blush as she may get jealous, but Baco needed some ‘girl time’. perfect place, a high peak in the Montalcino region with a view of the sea, a bottle of wine and just some quite time to enjoy it.
The perfect location? The farm at Podere il Cocco. I had made arrangements with the winery to visit the vineyards but this was going to be an easy trip. Upon arriving a note was left at the door with a small hand drawn map on it. We followed the map to the top of the hill behind the 200 year old farm-house and stables that had been converted to wine cellar.
Upon reaching the idea spot with a view of the famed Montalcino region, I noticed that Mirco Bindi, the owner and winemaker, had set up a small picnic blanket with a couple glasses and some simple but amazingly delicious Tuscan snacks.
Sitting there, drinking the 2004 Podere il Cocco Brunello di Montalcino and taking a couple hour vacation from the world is exactly what the doctor had ordered.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Podere il Cocco farm can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Podere Il Cocco
About The Wine:
The Brunello di Montalcino is born on the slopes of the Poggio Cocco, that owes its name to the ancient terrain proprietor and military general Cocco Salimbeni (1413). The vines, located at the center of the area of production of Brunello, have a favorable South-West exposure and are hit by Sirocco and tramontana winds that ease the creation of a microclimate adverse to the forma-tion of damaging grape diseases. The biological working method utilizes organical elements ex-clusively as well as bio-available and natural substances. Any chemical substance is strictly pro-hibited at Cocco.
During the entire biological cycle, the vines are constantly assisted and at the moment of ahrvest the grapes are carefully selected. This allows us, even in difficult vintages, to select grapes of excellent quality for the production of our Brunello. The fermentation takes place in steel tanks for a period of at least 15 days. The wine is subsequently placed in oak barrels of French and Transilvanian origin, where it begins its aging process for approximately 3 years. The cycle of the Brunello doesn’t end here. Indeed, after the aging process in oak, that guarantees an extraction of tertiary scents and flavors like vanilla and tobacco, we carry out a bottling in Bordeaux bottles of 0,750 lt. These complete the aging process guaranteeing elegance and stability throughout time. The annual production of Brunello is approximately 2000 and varies depending on the productivity of the vintage. This wine is to be served at a temperature of 18-20° C, if possible. We also suggest opening the bottle at least 4 hours prior to consumption. The Brunello di Montalcino ‘Cocco’ is an excellent wine to pair with dishes of great value like steak, braised and roasted meats, game meat and stews. It is an elegant wine that gives its best in evenings in which time passes slowly. Friends and companions enjoy and savor the moment and the wine trans-forms into the muse of long discussions…
About The Farm:
The farm ‘il Cocco’ is on the top of the highest hill of Montalcino and covers about 10 hectares, 3 of which are specialized in the production of Brunello wine and 3 in olive groves.
The vineyard was already existing at the beginning of 1800 when the Bindi family became the owner.
The Orcia’s valley and Ombrone river surround the farm and it’s possible to see the Mediterranean sea and sell the brackish wine that give a unique taste to the wines.
Certified Organic Process:
ICEA BCS 00647/04 Certification
3 hectares of vineyards cultivated with biological methods, without the use of weed removers or chemical fertilizers, produce the wines BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, ROSSO DI MONTALCINO and the Rosso Toscano BRUNATO & D.O.C. ORCIA. After the vinification of the grapes which takes place in the ancient stables, the wine matures and evolves in big oak barrels, to be sa-vored every day as well as on special occasions.
The vines of Cocco already existed in the 1800’s. The production of Brunello began in 2002 with a small quantity of grapes.
The Sangiovese varietal matures towards the end of September – beginning of October. The wine ferments and refines during the winter months and at the coming of spring is ready to begin the aging process of the Brunello, or to be immediately enjoyed as an every day wine.
The view above the vineyard of the farm.
Technical Analysis:
Varietals: 100% Sangiovese
Category: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Region: Montalcino, Italy
Aging: Aged for 5 years in traditional big oak barrels
Alcohol: 13.5%
