GIUSEPPE TASSI: Awards Wine advocate 95/100 Gardini Notes 96/100 Size:0.75 l Type:Red Country:Italy Region:Toscana Denomination:Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Grapes:Sangiovese 100% Aging:3 years in 700 liters tonneaux Alcohol content:15% Service temperature:18/20°C Vintage:2016 Description Translating Fabio Tassi’s vision into the bottle and then into the glass is an exercise that leads to an understanding of the desire to make his mark by producing wines with a distinct personality, both varietal and territorial, wines that are certainly not homologated but that are able to speak the language (or dialect) of the territory they belong to, made up of small plots and individual crus that give rise to small productions of absolute excellence. Giuseppe Tassi’s Brunello di Montalcino is further proof of this, this time embellished by the special dedication to his father: produced with low-yield grapes carefully harvested in the small vineyard of 2.8 hectares at Castelnuovo dell’Abate, on loamy-clay soils with the presence of minerals (manganese, iron, magnesium), protected by Monte Amiata and conducted organically, the Brunello di Montalcino is fermented in cement in contact with the skins in contrast to all the other splendid wines produced by Fabio, before racking into 700-liter tonneaux where it matures for a good two and a half years. The 2016 vintage is universally acclaimed as exceptional, a vintage reminiscent of the quality peaks reached in 1990. The weather has been really clement over the months, following the seasons well and ensuring rainfall at the right times, without generating water stress in the summer period even in that most difficult area south of Montalcino. The result is of superior quality: acidity, structure and elegance confirm the excellence of the grapes arrived at harvest and the great aging potential. To the taster, Brunello Giuseppe Tassi definitely breaks away from the wake of the winery’s other cru wines, presenting a dark ruby color and introducing to the nose a complex bouquet where jammy fruit such as red plum and morello cherry stand out, flanked by candied orange peel and a sweet spice that hints at tobacco, leather, with a whiff of menthol in the closing. On the sip it proves powerful, austere, serious but absolutely balanced, with silky tannins and a distinct minerality. Warm and muscular in the mouth, it closes the sip with a decided persistence and a pleasant aftertaste reminiscent of clove. From a very limited production, Brunello di Montalcino Giuseppe Tassi perfectly conveys the philosophy of its creator, allowing one to discover a distinctive and strongly territorial approach to the world of Montalcino. Brunello Giuseppe Tassi is part of a series of first-rate labels that Winefully enthusiastically offers to its customers in order to fully acquaint them with Brunello di Montalcino and its superior limited productions. FRANCI SELEZIONE: Size:0.75 l Type:Red Country:Italy Region:Toscana Denomination:Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Grapes:Sangiovese 100% Aging:3 years in 1,000 liter barrels Alcohol content:15% Service temperature:18/20°C Vintage:2015 Translating Fabio Tassi’s vision into the bottle and then into the glass is an exercise that leads to an understanding of the desire to make his mark by producing wines with a distinct personality, both varietal and territorial, wines that are certainly not homologated but that are able to speak the language (or dialect) of the territory they belong to, made up of small plots and individual crus that give rise to small productions of absolute excellence. Brunello di Montalcino Selezione Franci is further proof: made from low-yielding grapes carefully harvested from the tiny one-hectare vineyard of the same name in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, on clay loam soils rich in fine marl, the Brunello di Montalcino is macerated for two to three weeks in contact with the skins before racking into 1,000-liter tonneaux where it matures for a full three years. The 2015 vintage is universally acclaimed as exceptional: although characterized by great irregularity, with appreciable differences in quality yields on the various slopes, it produced wines of extremely fine quality. The weather brought much heat between spring and summer with little rainfall, putting vintners in the position of having to give their all in the vineyard to protect the precious harvest. The result is of superior quality also thanks to Franci’s special terroir: acidity, complexity and elegance confirm the excellence of the grapes arrived at harvest and the great aging potential. To the taster, the Brunello Selezione Franci is an intense ruby color with garnet hues, introducing a complex bouquet on the nose that hints at well-ripened red and forest fruits, a spiceiness that brings back cloves and clear roasted notes such as coffee and cedar wood. On the palate it is immediately well balanced, fresh and with absolutely fine and elegant tannins that generate harmony and intensity. Energetic but nonetheless refined in the mouth, it closes the sip dry, the antechamber to an elegant persistence that never seems to fade. From a limited production of 1,500 bottles, the Brunello di Montalcino Selezione Franci perfectly conveys the philosophy of its creator, allowing one to discover a distinctive and strongly territorial approach to the Ilcinese world. The Franci Selection is part of a series of first-rate labels that Winefully enthusiastically offers to its customers in order to fully acquaint them with Brunello di Montalcino and its limited productions of superior quality.