2004 Rosso di Montalcino

Both the 2004 Brunello and Rosso of Le Potazzine have matured beautifully over time. These wines they show a level of elegance and grace that is truly spellbinding. Both display a liveliness and balance that should carry them for years to come. The Riserva has a hint of rusticity that I don’t find detracting in any way.

My recent visit to this estate was quite an experience as Giuseppe Gorelli proceeded to open every wine he has produced at his small property. Le Potazzine's vineyards are located high in the northwestern corner of the zone “Just think that thirteen years ago, when we bought this property, people thought we were nuts saying that the vineyards were too high. Today, with global warming, this is a part of the zone that is being re-evaluated as a source for important wines,” says Gorelli. The estate makes very small quantities of Rosso and Brunello which are aged in casks. From 1997 to 1999 the family leased a vineyard that had been abandoned by the owners. The vines gave abnormally low yields and the wines from this period, notably the 1997 Brunello, present an exotic, atypical expression of Sangiovese that is hard to full describe. A vertical tasting of Rossos back to 1999 shows that in hot vintages this producer's wine drinks best early, while in fresher vintages the Rosso can age well to about five years, although the upside from cellaring these wines is limited and I would prefer to drink them on the young side.