Brunello di Montalcino: How low can you go?

I'm thinking of asking Santa for a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino. Having never tired a brunello and not wanting to spend a bunch for a wine I may not like, what is the lowest price I can get a decent brunello? More specifically, the following wines are under $50 - what would you buy?

2006 Argiano, $45
2003 Canalicchio di Sopra, $52
2006 Caparzo, $36
2004/2006 Casanova di Neri, $49
1999 Collosorbo, $50
2004 Costanti (375ml), $40
2004 Fattoria di Barbi, $49
2004 Fattoria La Lecciaia, $32
1998/2001 La Fornace, $50
2004 La Fuga, $40
2006 La Poderina, $51
2004 Le Chiuse, $53
2001 Le Macioche, $53
2004 Le Presi, $43
2006 Mastrojanni, $47
2006 Podere Brizio, $53
2006 Poggio Nardone, $32
1999 Sassetti, Livio, $55
2006 Tenuta di Sesta, $29
2004 Terre Nere, $43
2004 Terre Nere, $53

Based on a post in WLDG, someone (Rainer from CH) mentioned that Brunello is a minefield but Ciacii Piccolominid d'Aragona and La Fiortia have been very reliable over the years. Would you recommend this one (they don't carry La Fiorita):

2006 Ciacci, Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, $65

Thanks,

David

[James Roscoe]

Where are these prices? MacArthurs? Calvert-Woodley? Schneiders? Inquiring minds would like to know.

MacArthur's

There are lots of excellent 2006 Brunelli around the $30 mark. That's about as low as you can go and expect to get a nice Brunello - but even at that price they are easily good enough to justify the price. But then I'm a Brunello-phile, and I pretty much love anything from Montalcino.

Costanti 04, traditional style, reliable producer, IMHO.

I recently had a bottle of the 2006 Casanova di Neri (the regular bottling); although the winery seems to have a reputation for making a "modern" styled Brunello, I found the 2006 to be very savory, no overwhelming new oak/barrique, with medium color, and nice, juicy acidity (i.e. fairly traditional & probably 100% Sangiovese)). I really liked it; it drank nicely with a 2-hour decant and food. Can be found for as low as $37 in some stores.

I also LOVE the Lambardi 2006. This is a small, very traditional producer from the Canalicchio area North of Montalcino (cooler climate), and their 2006 is lovely.

Don't get me wrong; both of the wines had abundant, grainy tannins and need a few years in the cellar, but I was impressed by their balance esp. with a meal.

Where are these prices? MacArthurs? Calvert-Woodley? Schneiders? Inquiring minds would like to know.

Thanks for asking, James and for answering, David. Now it's a race to Addy Bassin's! (Not really, I not buying anything for myself 'til after Christmas.)

I think Caparzo, La Poderino and Casanova di Neri have all received favorable reviews. I am also a fan of the wines from Ciacci Piccolomini but I believe the Pianrosso is the top end of their Brunellos and they produce a basic Brunello for less money (I paid about $40 for the 2004.) Also, their Rosso di Montalcino can be a good bargain. I have purchased a number of 2006 Brunellos but haven't tried them yet. I think Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo was another one with decent reviews and one wine magazine said the Fanti was the best from that producer in several years.

Hi David -

I had the 2006 Poggio Nardone Brunello earlier this year, and thought that it was a good value for Brunello. Caparzo is also a very good producer, but I haven't had the regular bottling of their 2006 Brunello - only the Vigna La Casa.