Castel Giocondo: 1997, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006

The Brunello di Montalcino wine estate of Castel Giocondo is one of the largest in the region, producing thousands of cases of top Castelgiocondo Brunello as well as a pure Merlot called Lamaione, among others. It is part of the impressive wine estate stable of the Frescobaldi family. About a year ago, I met with Lamberto Frescobaldi at the estate and visited its futuristic winery for a tasting of vintages ranging from 1997 to 2006. It was a small history lesson in how the top modern vintages of Brunello taste at the moment – with the exception of 2007.