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What We Say 1999 Brunello di Montalcino
[*Wine Spies Note*: This is a excellent wine, and at $40 off, it is an incredible deal!]
In unfamiliar territory Agent Zin looks up from his cappuccino apprehensively at Agent Red. A carefully sealed envelope with the words *Top Secret* rests between them. Inside is the mission for the day. With the sound of the occasional Alpha Romeo whizzing by, Agent Red begins to read the message in a hushed voice:
bq. “At only 200 years old, Brunello di Montalcino is fairly young by Italian standards. Our analysts have informed us that this newly created Sangiovese clone was brought about by a desire to shrink the berries, which, uncannily results in richer tannins. There are very few places to find this wonderful rare wine. Agents, we don’t want just *any* Brunello di Montalcino. Your mission is to taste the *La Campana Brunello Di Montalcino* and report back to the Chief!”
bq. : : Agent White out : :
Agent Zin’s jaw dropped. This particular Brunello, the La Campana, was grown on just five acres, on a steep and rocky hillside, by two retired gentlemen in their 80s! No tasting room, no huge marketing team, just two Italian farmers bonded by their love of making and drinking great wine. They’ve given us a needle in a haystack…
24 hours later…
In the dim light of the hotel room, Agent Red pulls the cork and pours the first glass. He notices that this Brunello Di Montalcino is more translucent than he had imagined. “Beautiful color. It’s almost like a dark garnet. And what a nose it has!” He whispers to Agent Zin, “Do you smell the plum and spice?”
“Uh, huh”, replys Zin. “Oak, too. Let’s taste it.”
Suddenly there’s a loud knock on the door and the agents reflexively reach for their corkscrews.
“Who’s there?!”, Zin demands.
“Room Service”, came the reply.
Relieved, they remembered the meal they had ordered earlier. “Okay, let’s see how it pairs with our pizza and lasagna.”
A few mouthfuls of wine later Agent Red is all grins. “I have to say, this is a superb example of Brunello di Montalcino done right! I’m getting a strong plum, subtle tannins and even a little yellow raisin. Whaddya think Zin?”
Nodding his head Zin replies “The oak is there, but subtle. It’s not overpowering the wine. This winery probably uses older casks, rather than new oak. I’m also tasting a little spice and the finish is really long. It stays with you.”
“Job well done, Zin”, Said Red at last finishing the excellent bottle. “We’d better get going, Chief wants us back ASAP!”
What the Winery Says
La Campana
The following is provided by the distributor of this superior wine:
This tiny boutique estate in Montalcino consists of only five acres of vineyards. Their poor, rock soils produce elegant, smoothly fruity wines made in Montalcino and purchased the estate in their retirement. Despite their age, they still do much of the work themselves with the assistance of Matura winemaker, Paolo Caciorgna, who consults for them.
Nose of ripe fruit, slightly spicy.
Well rounded with soft tanninns, a nice long finish.
Thirty months in oak casks.
A little bit about The Wine Spies
Please note that The Wine Spies are not simply middlemen like some other wine websites. All wines that The Wine Spies feature on this site are thoroughly tasted and reviewed by one or more Spies. With thousands of wines available to them and with only 365 days in a year, the Spies are very choosy about the wines they invite you to try. Only their favorite wines make it onto this site. Be sure to click the Buy It Now button above to order your wine now.
Shipping Note
Due to increasing sales The Wine Spies have been able to negotiate a better base shipping rate from UPS. Almost universally shipping has been reduced a couple dollars. Also, remember that the first bottle of any shipment is the most expensive. The second and additional bottles only add marginally to the overall shipping cost.
