If the question asked of me most often is wine question 101: “Why do I like wine so much?” then wine question 102 has to be, “Why do I age wines?” The subject of this post helps to answer that question.
Castello di Brolio is the name of the ancient Etruscan Castle that belongs to the Ricasoli family. It was Baron Ricasoli who is credited with pioneering the original formula for the wine “Chianti”.
The 1999 Castello di Brolio Casalferro is a Super Tuscan red crafted from 100% Sangiovese grapes. Despite it’s age of 13 years, the color is as dark as a newly bottled wine. The wine is throwing a heavy, coffee grind like sediment. Decant this if at all possible. In the glass, the nose of the wine is seamless, with aromas woven together to create a singularly unique experience. There’s dark black fruit, slight bitter chocolate, espresso, and sweet tobacco all layered upon each other. It’s a result that can only be achieved with cellaring, the progeny of a decade of slow maturation. On the palate the wine is full and rich, with layers of fruit, earth, and a complex suggestion of “bottle sweetness” that also comes with extended aging. I didn’t expect this wine to be this good. It proved me wrong. Simply had with a variety of cheeses, sausages and comforting pasta. Outstanding. 93 points!
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| 1999 Castello di Brolio Casalferro |
I bought 3-4 6-packs of this stuff in Milwaukee for about $17 or $18 per bottle. Of course, I drank it all years ago. Guess I should've saved a few, huh?
This wine has always been under my radar. I recently saw the latest vintage – still fairly priced – with a label so different I had to do a double take. Hard not to go long on it at your price. Great find back then.