1983 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino is stunning. This is the first year in which Soldera bottled both a non-Riserva and a Riserva Brunello. The 1983 was made with Case Basse fruit and fermented in stainless steel (the Riserva was done in oak). At the time, Soldera had a long-standing argument with famed wine writer Luigi Veronelli, who strongly advocated the use of stainless steel tanks in fermentation. Soldera vinified the 1983 Brunello in tank specifically to challenge Veronelli. At forty years of age, the 1983 remains vibrant and full of life. Dark red-toned fruit, tobacco, incense and leather resonate in a layered, energetic Brunello that hits all the right notes. The 1983 remains the only Brunello Soldera vinified in steel.
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino, tasted from magnum, is exceptional. Dark, powerful and brooding, the 1983 possesses marvelous depth. A host of tobacco, smoke and leather notes add to the wine’s imposing personality.
The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino, also from magnum, halts all conversation. Deep, dense and powerful, the 1983 boasts stunning depth and explosive intensity. Much like the epic 1990 Riserva, the 1983 is huge through the mid-palate and finish, with seemingly endless layers of fruit and magnificent concentration. Crushed rocks, smoke, tobacco and spices wrap around a core of dark red cherry and plum notes. The flavors are remarkably vivid in a dark, brooding Brunello that will continue to thrill those lucky enough to taste it for at least another twenty years.
Things get even better with the 1983 Brunello di Montalcino, which is drop-dead gorgeous. It possesses superb inner perfume and a full-bodied, ripe and opulent expression of fruit. The contrast between structured and fruit-driven vintages is one of the themes that begins to emerge from this comprehensive tasting. Overall, these early wines are notable. They have remained perfectly intact, which is quite an accomplishment for a producer who was very young at the time the wines were made.
About the producer
Soldera is one of the most highly rated, fiercely collected wines of Italy. The winery is based in the Brunello di Montalcino, however the estate is no longer labelled as a Brunello, following a fall out with the consortium. Made from 100% Sangiovese, the wine is currently bottled as a Toscana IGT.