WTN: 1999 Brunello

Sunday Betsy had a concert in Pennsylvania, she alerted me when she and pianist were leaving. I took the train to the subway and met them in front of Marija’s building on Upper West Side. Her husband Bruce carried a bottle of Pinot Grigio up to the lovely roof garden- nice lighter styled PG, but I didn’t get the name. We all then went to Gennaro for dinner. Betsy and I shared a great grilled cuttlefish appetizer, and then I had lamb shank while she had lamb chops. I had called to confirm corkage ($30), and carried along the 1999 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino. Just when I decide I’ll not buy anymore BdM, I have one that reminds they can be good. This is not traditional a la Soldera, but it’s not totally modern either, one foot in each camp. Plenty of black cherrry fruit, some leather and mocha, nice balanced acidity. Good length, tannins are smoothed out. B+/A-

And corkage was waived!

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

[David M. Bueker]

I had a nice Brunello over the weekend as well. I still won't pay for them, as I like the Felsina Chiantis just as much for a lot less money.

I've only had a few mid-1990's Lisini Brunellos, but I've been really impressed.

Glad to hear of another good bottle from them.

I had a nice Brunello over the weekend as well. I still won't pay for them, as I like the Felsina Chiantis just as much for a lot less money.

I have only drunk one Brunello wine, many times. I have drunk about 10 halfs of the 06 and 07 Il Poggione brunello di montalcino. So i'm not very experienced with BdM. But what I do know about it based on a pretty solid wine.

I've had a lot of different CC and CCR's lately as well. Way more than the BdM. Including multiples of Monsanto, Felsini, Fontodi.

I find my BdM reference point is just too different than the CC/CCRs. There is something genetically different with the grape that makes for a totally different wine. Or maybe its the genetics plus terrior and plus wine making. I don't know. But with my baseline of experience, I think of them as being different wines and I would not sub one for the other. I would not be happy drinking a Felsini CC/CCR instead of a Il Poggione BdM. Maybe if I drank different BdM's I'd see more similarities to CC/CCR and would make substitutions.