Torre Guelfa
2009 Brunello di Montalcino
Sangiovese
Italy: Tuscany
Mission Briefing
Tuscan Dreaming
Montalcino is like the Napa Valley of Tuscany. Its slightly warmer, more southern climate gives it an advantage over Chianti in that it tends to hit a riper taste profile that has that extra deliciousness sometimes lacking in the leaner wines from Siena vicinity. As a result, winemakers can use more new oak which helps elevate the overall taste to new heights. The only slight limitation for consumers, and fans of Tuscan wines, is that the pricing has gotten to be ridiculous over the past ten years. Drinking Brunello di Montalcino is now considered a high luxury, and the demand is intense.
Torre Guelfa is made by La Gerla, one of Montalcino’s elite estates that regularly receives 90-95pts from leading reviewers of wine. A small amount of Torre Guelfa is imported, and today we have it for a super reasonable price of only $36.99 with included shipping on only 4 bottles. You won’t find another Brunello for under $40 available that exhibits this quality.
Tasting Profile
| Look: | Dark garnet. |
|---|---|
| Smell: | Lovely with dried cherries, flowers, dust, oak spice, leather, and a savory meaty note. |
| Taste: | Medium in body with lots of dried red fruits. The floral lift gives the more dusty and savory elements a fancy suit for the party. In a way, that kind of describes Brunello di Montalcino. A sexy tasting wine with with dusty boots and a custom suit, driving a work truck. Super delicious and classic Brunello taste. |
| Finish: | Beautiful. The estate uses traditional large neutral oak tanks that give the wine subtle oak seasoning without ever dominating the palate. This lets the plump red fruits sing with the dusty leather Tuscan terroir. This should age easily into 2020. No need to wait though, it’s yummy! |
| Pairing: | Risotto with funghi or wild boar couldn’t be a better match here. |
What the Winery Says
- Grape Varietal
- 100% Sangiovese Grosso
- Vineyard Location
- Montalcino, Tuscany
- Winemaker
- Vittorio Fiore
- Alcohol Content
- 14.5%