Wine Advisor
Cerbaiona, Brunello di Montalcino 2008
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Succulent red cherries, dried roses, violets, tar and spices are some of the many notes that are woven together in the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Intensely perfumed, the 2008 shows many of the classic Cerbaiona signatures, even if it is a touch less polished than some of the recent vintages. At the same time, the 2008 has come together nicely over the last few years, so it will be interesting to watch what happens with further time in bottle. Dried rose petals and spices add complexity to the subtle, layered flavors. This is one of the stronger wines of the year. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2026. It’s always great to spend some time with Diego and Nora Molinari. The Molinaris may have slowed down a bit in recent years, but these wines prove they own one of Montalcino’s uncontestable grand cru sites. My visit this year ended with the 1989 Brunello di Montalcino. Nora Molinari told me this was the worst Brunello she and Diego had ever made. At one point, the Molinaris stopped selling the 1989 because they were embarrassed by the quality of the wine. Well, after 24 years, I can say the 1989 Brunello is gorgeous. No, it isn’t a great wine by this estate’s standards, but it has aged with superb grace. Suffice it to say, most producers would have been thrilled to have made a wine of this quality. Simply put, this is a great showing from Cerbaiona, one of Montalcino’s timeless classics. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Succulent red cherries, dried roses, violets, tar and spices are some of the many notes that are woven together in the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Intensely perfumed, the 2008 shows many of the classic Cerbaiona signatures, even if it is a touch less polished than some of the recent vintages. At the same time, the 2008 has come together nicely over the last few years, so it will be interesting to watch what happens with further time in bottle. Dried rose petals and spices add complexity to the subtle, layered flavors. This is one of the stronger wines of the year.
About the Producer
Cerbaiona was founded by retired Alitalia pilot Diego Molinari in 1977. The winery has remained one of the most sought after and historically important Brunello wineries from their very first bottling in the early '80s. The Cerbaiona vineyard had been a legend for nearly 200 years but with the advent of the Brunello DOCG it immediately began to shine on the world stage gaining cult status, sought after by collectors and connoisseurs. Consistently listed in the top five by Brunello collectors and critics alike, the secret to the success of Cerbaiona was in the terroir and vineyard microclimate as well as the traditional interpretation in the cellar. This created the perfect symbiosis of age-worthiness and delicious complexity which is the hallmark of great wines.
