Le Potazzine Gorelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2011 1.5L

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wa97

$499.00

SKU 04388

1.5L

'Le Potazzine Gorelli always delivers a delicate touch with its territory-inspired wines.' – Wine Advocate This beautiful Riserva Brunello is made from a selection of 100% Sangiovese from two vineyards in Montalcino: ‘Le Prata’ with SE exposure at 500m above sea level; and ‘La Torre’ with SW exposure at 320m above seal level. Fermentation and maceration last 30 days. The wine then matures for 60 months in large oak cask before finishing in the bottle for 12 months before release.

We visited this wonderful family estate during the 2009 harvest and had the honor to taste wines with Guiseppe Gorelli from both bottle and barrel. He is a very thoughtful, quality-driven winemaker who balances tradition with modern know-how and captures the true essence of Montalcino. The wines are made in very small quantities in a traditional style. Brunello di Montalcino is wonderful to pair with roasted meats, pasta or risotto with truffles or Italian cheeses, salumi and olives.

Owned by Guiseppe and Gigliola Gorelli, this tiny estate was named after a local bird, the Potazzine, also the nickname for the couple's two daughters, due to their constant 'chirping' to each other from the time they were babies. The Gorelli's first vintage under the Potazzine label was 1997, but Guiseppe comes from a long line of Brunello di Montalcino producers. Today he owns vineyards in both the north and the south, since he believes each area imparts different positive qualities such as richness, balance, aromas, acidity, terroir components and structure. He is dedicated to healthy vineyards, old vines and low yields. Also dedicated to natural winemaking, Guiseppe only uses wild yeasts in the winery, and the wines go through a long, natural fermentation of about 30 days. Many years ago, Guiseppe made the big decision to stop using any small oak barriques for aging, as he felt the wood component was too strong for the supple, balanced style he was seeking. Today, he uses 100% Slovenian oak in 10 hectolitre and 30 hectolitre sizes.

'Along with...Giancarlo Pacenti, Guiseppe Gorelli is the best of the younger producers of Montalcino, and an estate that has not missed a step since 1988.' Stephen Tanzer

Category	Red Wine
Varietal	Sangiovese
Region	Italy, Tuscany, Brunello di Montalcino
Brand	Le Potazzine Gorelli

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Wine EnthusiastCaptivating scents of pressed violet, dark spice, perfumed berry, new leather and balsamic eucalyptus notes reveal the wine's elegance and pedigree even before the first sip. The full-bodied palate boasts remarkable finesse and a weightless intensity, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, black raspberry, tobacco and licorice. It's impeccably balanced, with firm polished tannins and fresh acidity. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2021–2036.

Kerin O'Keefe

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Wine AdvocateThe ladies of Le Potazzine have broken with the pack. They are betting on this Riserva from the warm 2011 vintage over everything else (including vintages held in higher esteem by appellation authorities). The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is indeed a sure bet if you are looking for a Brunello that will knock your socks off. This is a sharp, precise and extremely defined Sangiovese. This is an inspired wine (with a mere 3,200 bottles produced). The bouquet is slow and steady but also very effective as it comes into full focus. Red cherry, blackberry, cassis, balsam herb and spice all merge seamlessly on the nose. The mouthfeel is polished and long. You can count it in many long minutes.

Monica Larner, February 28, 2017

wa 91 Wine Advocate	ws 91 Wine Spectator	st 91 International Wine Cellar	we 91 Wine Enthusiast	js 91 James Suckling	bs 91 Bottle Shop	w&s 91 Wine & Spirits
bh 91 Burghound	wj 91 Wine Journal	wsk 91 Whiskey Advocate	agv 91 Vinous	d 91 Decanter	tp 91 The Tasting Panel	jd 91 Jeb Dunnuck

Le Potazzine Gorelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2011 1.5L

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