Wines Tasted - June 20, 2010

La Togata - Brunello di Montalcino - Tuscany - Italy - 2004 - $55 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Now when I call this Classically produced masterpiece a Modern-Showpiece, it's only because it is atypically ready to drink, with soft tannins and well developed fruit.  So, it starts off as a clear ruby wine with slight development at the rim and medium viscosity.  The nose just blows me away with ripe red & black cherry, and fresh plums mixed with tobacco box spice, leather and forest floor notes.  Very dimensional and complex.  Oak notes are subtle(boti, I suspect).  The wine was very dry, showed less fresh and more dried fruit impressions on the palate than the nose would lead you to believe, and had lower than expected acidity.  This is why I call it Modern, not because it was black and oaked to hell!  The body was medium+ all the way, it was perfectly balanced and had great length to the finish.  This was enjoyed with some toasted baguette and a bit of mature Hudson Vally Camembert with sliced Pears, and yes it went well...not perfectly, but without the Pears it would've gone awry;-) 
Get this at:
http://www.jjbuckley.com/2004-La-Togata-Brunello-di-Montalcino-Sangiovese-Grosso/p~2004~11094~750~f~ws before it's too too late!