2011 Brunello di Montalcino

After many years of speculation, Diego and Nora Molinari recently sold Cerbaiona, ending years of uncertainty about the future. The new ownership team, headed by lead investor Gary Rieschel and estate manager Matthew Fioretti is now in place. Naturally, it will be interesting to see how things develop over the coming years. I am reminded of the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." About the only thing that did not work at Cerbaiona was the IGT. Not surprisingly, that wine will no longer be made. Beyond that, the Cerbaiona Brunello is one of the world's most pedigreed wines. Hopefully it will remain as it has always been. This year's new releases are the last wines bottled by the Molinari's. Both are less exciting than the standard established here over the last thirty years. It's hard to know how much the Molinaris' health struggles in recent years affected quality, but one thing is sure, it's time to turn the page and start the next chapter at Cerbaiona. Lastly, there will be no 2014 Brunello, only Rosso di Montalcino.