It’s hard to believe that we were in Montalcino just a few short weeks ago! That’s Tracie P, above, atop the Fortezza in the historical center of the town, where Benvenuto Brunello begins today — the appellation’s annual grand tasting, where producers present their new vintages, this year, the 2004 2005 Brunello di Montalcino, the 2003 Brunello di Montalcino riserva, the 2008 Rosso di Montalcino, and the Moscadello di Montalcino (which I’ve never seen in the U.S.).
Tracie P and I tasted some great 2004 Brunello (not an easy vintage and certainly not a spectacular vintage for those not blessed with superior growing sites) and one phenomenal 2003 riserva.
I don’t have time to pen a decent post today: we’re busy moving into a little house we rented, our first home together! But I will post on the wines we tasted and the different terroirs of Montalcino next week.
Even though I love wines from many different regions of Italy, Brunello will always be my first romance: my enophilia grew out of my first visit to Bagno Vignoni, just south of Montalcino, when a friend and student of mine lent me the keys to his apartment there in 1989.
Brunello, you were always on my mind…
My writing partner Franco Ziliani is attending Benvenuto Brunello (where, unfortunately, it’s next-to-impossible to get online!) and we’ll be posting his impressions next week over at VinoWire.
Do Bianchi 
Congrats to you guys…
Dang… just missed Willie in Richmond VA this week!
Oh yeah… tasting Pre-buy 2004 Riserva, 2005 Brunellos and Rossos this week in Central VA w Vinifera Imps…
Canalicchio di Sopra
Romitorio
Valdicava
Will save y’all a tatste!!!
Isn’t it 2005 normale this year?
@Michele you’re entirely right! I’ll correct it right away… thanks!
@Adam you know I love me some Canalicchio di Sopra!
Pretty much the same identical grey sky as in your photo today, coupled with gale force winds… This evening on the way to Buonconvento an invasion of toads on the road had us all slaloming down the hill. There are 12 producers less than last year showing (I’ve yet to work out WHO!) and only 70 producers in the whole Consorzio produced 2004 Riserva… As far as I know the only 2003 Riserva is the Il Poggione Paganelli Cru, the first ever bottling of this wine… More pouring in the tent awaits me tomorrow!
Hey Jeremy I have the Mocali Moscadello di Montalcino 2004 in stock.
Ciao
http://www.de-vino.com
2B – Vias imports a really nice Moscadello di Montalcino that we are pouring by the glass at our Charlotte location. La Poderina is the producer.
Do:
Also, the Riservas this year are 2004 as well as 2003 – depends on the producer. I jsut posted on the 2004 Riservas at:
http://learnitalianwines.wordpress.com/2010/02/20/2004-brunello-di-montalcino-riserva/
Good luck on the new place!