The 2011 Rosso di Montalcino wraps around the palate with sensual dark red fruit, spices, vanillin and dried flowers. Rich, round and sensual, Giancarlo Pacenti’s 2011 Rosso makes a compelling case for itself as the wine of the vintage. This is a terrific Rosso built on exceptional balance and polish. I tasted the 2011 from tank just prior to its bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. With these new releases, Giancarlo Pacenti shows why he is one of the very finest growers in Montalcino. Pacenti owns vineyards both in the north and south of Montalcino. In 2008, hail and rain reduced yields by about 30% in Pacenti’s holdings in Piancornello, in the southern part of Montalcino, which tilts the composition of the estate’s flagship Brunello in favor of fruit from the north, near the winery itself. Over the last few years, Pacenti has begun to introduce 500-liter barrels to augment the standard French oak barriques that remain the core of the estate’s cooperage program. The use of the tonneau began with the top-of-the-line PS bottling, which is predominantly aged in 500-liter barrels. After having tasted many wines from barrel here over the years, it seems pretty clear Sangiovese that is so meticulously farmed to low yields responds best to the larger sized French oak barrels. For those who haven’t tasted the Pacenti wines in a few years, you owe it to yourself to do so. Giancarlo Pacenti’s wines have never been this refined or polished. Importers: Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Golden State Wine, Van Nuys, CA; tel. (818) 908-9509; Classic Wine Imports, Norwood, MA; tel. (781) 352-1100; Casa Bruno, Portland, OR; tel. (503) 235-7429

Candied fruit marks this red, showing a mélange of cherry, strawberry and melon flavors. Dense in texture, with firm tannins marking the finish. Drink now through 2017. 1,500 cases made.??–BS??Region: Italy / Rosso di Montalcino Select to Add