WTN: Pistons and... Brunello di Montalcino?!

[geo t.]

Yup, we enjoyed these two fine wines during (and every bit as much as) Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

1990 Tenuta la Poderina Brunello di Montalcino, $165, 13% alc.: Kim characterized this rusty ruby colored Brunello as “musty,” but it reminds me of nothing so much as my mother’s very aromatic cedar chest, with flavors and aromas of prune, dried black cherries and above all, cedar! As it opens, even more cedar emerges, along with some sea air and smoke. Tannins are pretty much resolved, but there’s still plenty of acidity, and it finishes very nicely. A very fine wine in its prime, soft, yet rich and delicious, and so satisfying and harmonious.

Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY

1998 Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino, $59.99, 14% alc.: This ruby dark garnet exudes road tar, underbrush and dried sour cherries on the nose, and there’s a lot more of the same on the palate, along with something like peanut butter, and as it opens and fleshes out, spicy notes of licorice, leather and balsamico emerge. It shows good concentration and intensity, and it’s not so tannic that you can’t drink one tonight; deep, dark and tasty, this is a fine glass of wine that really needs at least another five years to show it best.

Imported by Premiere Wine Merchants, New York, NY

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.