From one of the finest names in all of Montalcino, we are thrilled to offer the superb 2008 Brunelli from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona.

Ciacci Piccolomini have long been one of our favourite producers, not just in Italy, but worldwide. They seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional winemaking and the best that modern viticulture has to offer.

Despite the recognition they received after the 2007 Annata, which was awarded number 9 in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2012, Piccolomini are not inflating their prices with each successive vintage and we are pleased to offer the wines at the same price as last year.

We tried the superb 2008 Annata last week and were blown away by its astounding elegance and purity.

Brunello di Montalcino (Annata), Ciacci Piccolomini 2008 - £130 per case (6x75cl) in bond

“Notes of dark cherries and cocoa powder on the nose, with bright floral undertones. The palate is bright and fresh, brimming with red fruits and crushed flowers. Silky tannins and expertly balanced acidity draw the palate onto a long, lifted finish.” – Genesis Wines

We can also offer the sumptuous Pianrosso, which is an old-vine selection, chosen from only their top performing vineyards.

Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, Ciacci Piccolomini 2008 - £165 per case (6x75cl) In Bond

“Aromas of dark cherries and plums with hints of flowers follow through to a full body with velvety tannins and juice. Meaty, fruits aftertaste. Turns chocolate powder as well. Drink or hold.” – 93 Points, James Suckling

Also available in large format bottles individually packed in numbered wooden boxes:

3 x 1.5 litre bottle in wooden box   - £170 In Bond

1 x 3 litre bottle in wooden box      - £115 In Bond

1 x 5 litre bottle in wooden box      - £195 In Bond

Unfortunately Piccolomini have chosen not to release their Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso Riserva (Santa Caterina) 2007 this year, but will release a year later. We will of course offer this superb wine this time next year so keep your eyes peeled.

If you would like a case or two of either of these fantastic wines then please contact our offices on 020 7963 9060 /  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

These wines will be shipped in early summer 2013.

Introduction

Without doubt, the Rhône valley has experienced a trio of very good vintages in 2009, 2010 and 2011 but each one has its own character and style. The 2011 is a more forward vintage than its predecessors, with its bright fruit and supple tannins giving wines of great pleasure both when drunk in their youth and in the medium term.

They do not have the fierceness of many 2009s, nor the firmness of the 2010s but by choosing, as we have done, only the best growers who harvested individual plots of vines at optimum ripeness, kept yields low and carefully selected their fruit, 2011 has produced wines that are simply delicious.

The Vintage

The 2011 growing season was marked by unexpected fluctuations in temperature. An unusually warm Spring was followed by a cool early Summer, with rain in August followed by soaring temperatures that continued through September up to the harvest. The warmth of Spring brought a uniformly successful flowering promising an early harvest and a bumper crop.

Cooler temperatures in June/July brought eventual harvest dates into line with 2009 and 2010 however, and following August rains vigorous green harvesting was used by the best growers to keep yields in check and maintain good levels of concentration. For many, the warm fine September brought about much needed late season ripening but even then fine judgement and a keen eye were key when choosing when to finally pick.

In summary; 2011 was a vintage where growers had to work hard in the vineyards to produce high quality wines but one which repaid their efforts in full.

The Wines

The North

While there are some places in the Northern Rhône that have had a troubled time in 2011 this is most certainly not the case with everyone.

The wines from Côte Rôtie and St Joseph for instance are every bit as bright as last year but will be drinking a good few years sooner (perfect timing I would say as we wait for our 2009s and 2010s to mature) while the Hermitage are still deep, bold and fruit-driven.

The northern whites are every bit as good as the reds they offer a style almost perfectly suited to the vintage, with great purity and depth.

The South

Personally, I really enjoyed these Southern Rhône 2011s and will be shouting about a third stellar vintage in many of the appellations.

Two key words that cropped up time and again, as with the North, are fluidity and suppleness. The 2011s are again not as concentrated as the 2009s or 2010s but this is to their credit; they posses a beautiful roundness, great aromatics and supple tannins.

The Southern Rhône reds can be characterised as charming and elegant with superb purity of fruit. Those of Châteauneuf-du-Pape have the ever present power behind them but still show great clarity and ease.

Recommendation

As you will have noted, 2011 in the Rhône is a vintage where it is important to do as the best growers themselves did, and choose carefully, this we have already done, not only the best growers but also their best wines. It is worth pointing out that our 2011 offer is, as a result significantly reduced this year. In addition, some producers, such as Tour St Michel, chose to produce fewer cuvées while many others left it to us do the hard selection.

Pricing in the Rhône is always a key point and the consensus from our growers is that their prices will change very little, if at all against their 2010s. This combined with a slightly better exchange rate means that we may be looking at some of the best priced wines to come out of France in some years!

As well as keen prices, the 2011s show a great overall balance and will be drinking within the first five years after release, a good thing if you already have 2009s and 2010s taking up space in the cellar waiting to mature.

To summarise 2011 is a perfect follow-up to 2009 and 2010 as they will drink far sooner without affecting the immediate quality (some will even be drinking as soon as they land) and as always with the Rhône, wines from the top growers will always sell out early so En Primeur buying is still very much advised.

Stuart Rankine

November 2012

Monprivato Barolo, Mascarello 2008 - £285.00 per case In Bond (6x75cl) Click HERE to buy.

“The 2008 Barolo Monprivato is understated, classy and very pretty. It comes across as seamless and pure, although it will be quite a few years before the wine is ready. The 2008 is mostly remarkable for its textural finesse and sheer delicateness. Crushed flowers, spices and licorice wrap around the eternal finish. I expect the 2008 will firm up once it is in bottle, but if this sneak preview is any indication, the wine is shaping up beautifully. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038.” 93-95+ Antonio Galloni (Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate)

For more information and to view our full Monprivato offer click HERE.

Well after a reasonably quiet week on the Bordeaux front the last 48 hours have seen release after release after release, with some of them even coming out at sensible prices.There are a few too many to list here, but if you follow the below link you can see our full list of the latest releases and their availability.

http://www.genesiswines.com/en-primeur/2011/bordeaux-2011-offer/