Spirit of Montalcino captured by La Mannella Brunello and Rosso wines
Montalcino Italy is a lovely Tuscan hill town known the world over as the home of one of Italy’s most famous and valued wines, Brunello di Montalcino. The Cortonesi family has been farming these lands for more than 40 years, and based on tastings of recent vintages of their La Manella wines, they consistently hit the mark of what Montalcino wines should be.
To decant or not to decant Brunello?
Tommaso Cortonesi, co-owner and winemaker at La Mannella, was recently in New York to show his wines at a media dinner at Blu on Park. As for decanting Brunello? Tommaso advised, "After five years, I never decant. Too much oxygen can destroy your wine." You heard it here, first. His current releases show consistent high quality, and will age well.
La Mannella winery current releases
La Mannella 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva - Made only in the best vintages, the Riserva Brunello has inviting aromas with red fruits, dried herbs, and leather and offered well-integrated tannins, full body, red fruits as well as savory notes on the palate. It still felt young at six years old and will age for another decade and more. 2010 is known as a must-buy vintage and this wine proves that advice right.
La Mannella 2012 Brunello di Montalcino I Poggiarelli - The I Poggiarelli vines are owned by the Cortonesi family, and the vineyard is in the southeast part of Montalcino. This Brunello has big, earthy nose, and on the palate the wine offers complexity, with chocolate, leather, spice, and cherry flavors. The finish is huge. The aging regimen includes a year in French tonneaux and then transfer to Slovenian oak vats for two additional years - a deftness of providing oxygenation without a heavily oaked flavor.
La Mannella 2012 Brunello di Montalcino - This wine is made from grapes on two Cortonesi vineyards, located both in the north and south. This wine has a pretty violets on the nose, and the palate includes lush cherries as well as baking spices. There is a notable acidity in the wine which will support its long life; the wine developed greatly after 30 minutes, so a bit of oxygen seems warranted here.
La Mannella 2014 Rosso di Montalcino - When you can get a delicious wine from a top producer for under $30, my advice is "Buy!" Rosso di Montalcino is more of an entry level wine from this region, but that term should not dissuade anyone from enjoying these wines, which are wonderful in their own right (and certainly more affordable.) This Rosso had sweet, ripe cherry core as well as a fresh cherry nose. Delightful all around.
For information on where to find La Manella wines, check with the distributor.
