BRUNELLO DINNER
A Visitor from Montalcino
Saturday, January 23, 2008
Traditional-style Brunello producer Francesco Ripaccioli, of the small, very fine estate Canalicchio di Sopra, will spend the evening with us January 23rd. Whereas his wines will be available throughout the dining room, we are also offering limited seating with Francesco where guests will dine with him, taste his wine, and talk about Brunellos in general and Canalicchio in particular.
At the winemaker's table, we'll taste:
--the current release 2004 Rosso di Montalcino,
--tastes of two great Brunello riservas, the 1995, and 1999,
--two excellent Brunello normales, 1998 and 1999,
--and finally, we'll taste the 2001 Brunello riserva along side the 2001 normale.
Chef Canales has just begun to marinate Magruder grass fed beef in Canaliccho Rosso di Montalcino as a featured dish for our dinner that night.
The table with Francesco Ripaccioli will begin at 6:30, and cost $100 per person ($55 for the wine series and $45 for dinner).
Dinner in the dining room is a la carte, and Canalicchio di Sopra Brunellos will be available by series, glass, and half glass.
About the family: peasant sharecroppers until the 1950s, the family acquired a small property, began to make their own wines, helped establish the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino in 1967, and is now one of a very few traditional-style Brunello makers remaining. Their wines are quite wonderful.
About the wines:
There's a very sweet story about the winery on their website.
Here are several random clips about Canalicchio Brunello from the critics:
1995 Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino
Stephen Tanzer: Full deep red. Captivating aromas of red currant, dried flowers and roasted chestnut. Silky and pliant in the mouth, with excellent depth of flavor and plenty of underlying structure. Quite backward despite its obvious richness. Finishes long, with slightly dry tannins that will require patience. (Vinifera Imports) 91(+?) points
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1998 Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino
91 pts. Parker
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2001 Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino
Tre Bicchieri. Gambero Rosso.
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2001 Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
91 pts. Wine Spectator
Parker: There is something rustic yet deeply satisfying about Canalicchio di Sopra's highly idiosyncratic Brunellos that makes them compelling to drink. The intense 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is loaded with black cherries, earthiness, tobacco and spices. A dark, brooding, powerful wine....
Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.
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2003 Canalicchio di Sopra, Brunello di Montalcino
92 pts. Parker: The cask-aged 2003 Brunello di Montalcino from Canalicchio di Sopra is a big, full-bodied wine packed with vibrant dark fruit. It coats the palate with gorgeous depth and persistence, showing terrific energy and notable overall balance. This is a great effort from Canalicchio di Sopra and one of the estate's best wines in recent memory.
Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016.
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