2004 Brunello di Montalcino results

This past Tuesday, at our largest tasting of the year, the members and guests of the Toronto Vintners club were treated with the opportunity to taste some fantastic Brunello's.  All but one of wines poured were rated 90 points or higher.

Our speaker for the evening was Ben Hodson from Trialto.  He was kind enough to provide us with our reception wine for the evening, a delicious 2010 Argiano Rosso di Montalcino.  Before jumping into the tasting, Ben gave us a quick rundown of the region.  Brunello di Montalcino is the youngest, hottest, and dryest of the famous wine regions of Italy.  The wines that it produces are made up by 100% sangiovese and can produce wines that can age for 20-30 years.

The groups favourite wine of the night was the 2004 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino - $69.  Ben described this wine as having a very youthful nose with lots of great fruit.  It had strong notes of dark fruit and strong minerality .  It possessed good tannins that were in perfect balance with the wines acidity.  Ben ranked this as his second favourite wine of the night.

Our guest speakers top wine of the tasting was the 2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino - $63.  This wine had a classic Brunello nose and a classic Brunello palate. It had lots of cherry up front and a great herbal/earthy note.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A - 2004 Rendola Brunello di Montalcino	5	3
B - 2004 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli	8	7
C - 2004 La Velona Brunello di Montalcino	2	8
D - 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino	6	5
E - 2004 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino	1	2
F - 2004 Verbena Brunello di Montalcino	4	6
G - 2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino	7	1
H - 2004 Poggio San Polo Brunello di Montalcino	3	4

Next Event is 2009 Chablis on June 18

2009 Chablis

Often described as refreshing with subtle fruit flavors, Chablis is perfect for a warm June evening. 2009 is a standout vintage and the eight wines we will taste are sure to impress.  Located at the northernmost district of Burgundy, the vineyards of Chablis are renowned for their dry white Chardonnay.

Of the eight wines featured in June, we have five Grand Crus and three Premier Crus. Chablis Grand Cru wines are of exceptional quality, made under stringent regulations with a lower maximum yield permitted and the minimum potential alcohol is one degree higher, than for standard Chablis wines.  Chablis Grand Cru wines are characterized by delicately honeyed aromas of lime, complimented by distinctive mineral flavours attributed to the local limestone soils. Chablis Premier Cru is the next level down from Grand Cru and considered wine of very good quality.  The selection of producers we will taste include William Fèvre, Servin, Albert Bichot, Joseph Drouhin, La Chablisienne, and Gerard Duplesis, all of which are renown producers of premium Chablis. 

Our guest speaker will be certified sommelier, Anne Popoff.  "She is principal of Le Savoir-Vivre, her wine consulting firm. Prior to that, Anne spent many years with SOPEXA, a French marketing and communications agency specializing in French wine and food. Anne entered the wine business after an international career in investment banking. She is currently finishing Level 4 (Diploma) of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust offered by the Independent Wine Education Guild and is a member of the Society of Wine Educators."  (Source: http://www.capsontario.ca/docs/board.php)

This tasting is going to be a wonderful way to end the season and kick off summer. We hope to see you there!

There:  Burgundy - 2009 Chablis
Date: June 18, 2013
Time: 6 PM
Where:   41 Wilcocks St., Toronto, ON (U of T Faculty Club)
Cost:      TVC Members:  $69;  Non-members: $89
Register / Buy Tickets  (Note that all ticket sales are final!  And we encourage new members to sign up for our Newcomers' Table when you register.)

As always, a reception wine and light appetizers will also accompany the formal tasting. 

Please remember to NOT wear perfume or after shave or smoke cigarettes or cigars prior to the tasting as the smells from these items will impede others' ability to nose their wines.  Thank you!