Gracious, elegant and seductive, Il Palazzone ’10 Brunello grips the palate with a deft touch that is at once commanding and ethereal. Pretty berry and wildflower aromatics are kissed with earth, exotic spice, cigar wrapper and herbs, while the vibrant palate underlies its succulent red and blue fruit with telltale Montalcino terroir and an elegant minerality. Building to a delicate yet powerful finish, this ’10 shows perfect balance, terrific structure and tremendous detail; it’s extraordinary now but will grow even better with maturity. Unique in having three separate vineyard parcels that provide different characteristics, Il Palazzone Brunello blends from one parcel whose grapes high in sugars and phenols, another with mineral-laden soils, and a third that offers mouth-watering salinity and seductive aromatics. The estate ages the wine in botti for 41 months, nearly two years longer than DOCG regulations require.
- Country: Italy
- Region: Toscana
- Sub Region: Siena
- Sub Region/Classification: Brunello di Montalcino
- Commune/Village: Montalcino
The name says it all. Il Palazzone means “The Big Palace,” and even though this Montalcino estate is merely 20 acres, (10 of which are for Brunello), the wines produced are worthy of the grand title. Under the watchful eye of estate owner, former Time Warner chairman Richard Parsons, and winemaker Paolo Vagaggini, Il Palazzone wines exhibit a complex character with the ability to age for years and years.
A love of Toscana and the wines of the region brought Parsons to the estate in 2000. Dividing his time between New York and Italy, he frequently checks in on the vines and cellar, ensuring the quality of his grapes and wines are maintained and that Il Palazzone wines retain their elegance. Fortunately, he purchased an estate with some of the most perfect soils and climate for cultivating Sangiovese. Resting 480 meters above sea level, the vineyards receive ample cool breezes to preserve the fruits’ natural flavors; the chalky soils impart just the right minerals, and a deep root system allow for resilient vines during times of drought.
Adding to the classic quality of the wine, all are produced in accordance with the traditional DOCG aging regulation of two years, though, Il Palazzone give their Brunello additional aging beyond this point. The wine receives three or more years in wood to guarantee its ability to mature and improve throughout the years.
Until recently, Il Palazzone focused exclusively on the area’s traditional bottling: Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva and Rosso di Montalcino. In 2005, Parsons premiered Lorenzo & Isabelle, a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is a celebration of his love for Super Tuscans and his parents, whom the wine is named after.
Only 400 to 650 cases are produced each year for the Brunello di Montalcino and Riserva, so grab one of Il Palazzone’s most elegant expressions of Sangiovese.
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