Il Palazzone: Classic Brunello

I've been enjoying and writing about Brunello di Montalcino for almost 25 years now and it's a rarity that I find a wine that I've never tasted.   So when I received a bottle of the Il Palazzone Brunello,  I was excited to learn about this winery and review the wine. 

Il Palazzone is a tiny producer, artisan by every definition and their size allows for painstaking detail in the way that they go about producing their Brunello.  I'm happy to say that Winemaker Marco Sassetti will be the subject of a future interview here at Tuscan Vines.

The 2005 Il Palazzone Brunello di Montalcino is well done; and among the best 2005's I've had.  I decanted the wine a full hour before dinner to remove any suspected sediment (there was none) and to allow the aromatics to develop since the wine is a few vintages old.  It appears to have been the right thing to do. 

In the glass, the wine is a shimmering, brilliant dark red.  The aroma of the wine is nothing short of spellbinding. It reminded me of the amazing 2006 Stella di Campalto which may be the most aromatic Brunello I've ever smelled.

The deep perfumes, the rich sweet pipe tobacco - that almost tactile smell of sweet powdery spices.  It's truly remarkable.  In the mouth, the wine is full bodied, with a solid core of ripe wild berries, and the tactile counterpart to the perfumed and powdery, delicate, fresh cool fruit that graces the aroma.  There's something special and unique here.  The tannins are resolved, and the wine is balanced.  I'd not age this wine very long, but that's also a hallmark of the vintage. Besides, it's so delicious now, why wait?  93 points.  Disclosure:  This bottle was a producer provided sample.

The Perfumed 2005 Il Palazzone Brunello.  Interesting Label!

The coming Il Palazzone interview will be truly comprehensive.  In addition to the interview itself, the article will feature the winery's history and include relevant links to videos and additional tasting notes.