The 2008 Brunello di Montalcinos are going to be crowd pleasers as I wrote in my first report on Brunellos released this year in the market, which include the superb 2007 Riservas and single vineyard wines.
It’s impressive to see the steady increase in new names coming out with Brunellos. Most are small producers with holdings of only a few hectares of vineyards. Many used to work with the cooperative of Montalcino to make wines or sold their grapes to other wineries. This is a positive development making Brunello di Montalcino one of the most dynamic appellations in Italy.
My feelings haven’t changed on the 2008 Brunello. This is an outstanding year producing wines that are very drinkable for the short term. The vintage was complicated due to intermittent rains in late September and October. Hail didn’t help in some vineyards in August.
In any case, most of the 2008s are already drinkable now or only need a year of bottle age. Drink them while you wait for your 2006s or 2007s.
The release of the 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riservas is exciting. I found so many superb wines. The list here are those that I rated 92 points or less. You can pretty much buy at will if you are interested in owning some 2007 Riserva. Check out my first report with close to 100 2007 Brunello Riservas with scores of 93 points or more.
Prices have changed very little this year with Brunello. In fact, I expect many 2008 Brunellos will be discounted, so good buying opportunities will be available.
I have also included with this report PDFs of all the Brunellos I have tasted so far this year. One is organized by name, another is by vintage and then score, and finally another is by simply score.
Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:
2008 Baccinetti Brunello di Montalcino Saporoia
2008 Cantine Bonacchi Brunello di Montalcino Molino del Piano
2008 Casanuova delle Cerbaie Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Castello Tricerchi Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Centolani Brunello di Montalcino Pietranera
2008 Centolani Brunello di Montalcino Poggiotondo
2008 Centolani Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Friggiali
2008 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Col di Lamo Brunello di Montalcino
2007 Collelceto Brunello di Montalcino Elia Riserva
2008 Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Colombaio Brunello di Montalcino
2007 Colombaio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
2008 Cordella Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino Poggiotondo
2008 Domus Vitae Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Il Valentiano Brunello di Montalcino Campo di Marzo
2008 La Fornace Brunello di Montalcino
2008 La Mannella Brunello di Montalcino
2008 La Mannella Brunello di Montalcino I Poggiarelli
2008 La Palazzetta Brunello di Montalcino Flavio Fanti
2008 La Togata Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Marchesato degli Aleramici Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Mocali Brunello di Montalcino Vigna delle Raunate
2008 Molino di Sant'Antimo Brunello di Montalcino Paolus
2007 Molino di Sant'Antimo Brunello di Montalcino Paolus Riserva
2008 Padelletti Brunello di Montalcino
2007 Piccini Brunello di Montalcino Villa al Cortile Riserva
2008 Piccini Brunello di Montalcino Villa Cortile
2008 Pietroso Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Piombaia Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Podere Bellarina Brunello di Montalcino Tenute Niccolai
2007 Ridolfi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
2008 Rodolfo Cosimi Brunello di Montalcino Il Poggiolo
2008 San Lorenzo Brunello di Montalcino Bramante
2008 Tenimenti Ricci Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Tenuta di Sesta Brunello di Montalcino
2008 Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino
2007 Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
2008 Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino
