2006 Tuscan & Bordeaux Horizontal

“The 2006 Montecucco Sangiovese explodes from the glass with a multitude of dark cherries, sweet herbs and spices. This is a rich, powerful wine loaded with personality and character. In fact, it may very well be the most ambitious wine being made in the Montecucco appellation today. Additional bottle age should allow the full range of aromas and flavors to emerge; even if the wine is pretty delicious at this stage. The estate's Montecucco Sangiovese is 90% Sangiovese with a small percentage of Colorino and Canaiolo. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016.” (08/2009)

“A full and rich red from Montecucco, with a full body, raspberry and plum aromas and flavors. Silky and pleasing. Drink now. (Web-2010)” (11/2012)

“A 7.5 acre vineyard near proprietor Yves Vatelot’s flagship estate of Reignac, Balthus receives state of the art, artisinal handling, including major deleafing, and debudding, an incredibly severe crop-thinning. The results are tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare. Once the grapes are harvested, both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation take place in small barrels, which are then sealed up and put on Vatelot’s trademark oxoline system of racks with wheels on so the barrels can be rotated easily rather than pulling the bung, exposing the wine to oxidation, and doing lees stirring in the old manner. There are only 500 cases of this unfined/unfiltered wine. The 2006 is a dense, chewy, concentrated, big effort displaying noble sweet tannins as well as amazing concentration. (RP) 90+” (02/2009)

“(100% merlot, reportedly cropped at just 15 hectoliters per hectare) Bright ruby-red. Primary aromas of crushed black fruits, violet, licorice and smoky roasted herbs. Densely packed and primary-almost youthfully stunted-with concentrated flavors of blackberry, bitter chocolate and mint. Finishes with big, chewy but ripe tannins that call for two or three years of patience. From Yves Vatelot, owner of Reignac. This wine gets a ten-day cold soak and is then fermented in 100% new barriques It's in a rather extractive style but comes across as less porty in '06 than the Grand Vin de Reignac. (ST)” (05/2009)

“Aromas of blueberry pie and mineral follow through to a full body, with round tannins and plenty of fruit. Lacks a little bit of a center palate, but well done for the vintage.” (03/2009)

“Soft and food-friendly with lively notes of wild berry, anise, almond and cola, this is exactly the kind of wine to serve at informal meals. The mouthfeel is cleansing and bright yet there is enough structure and acidity to stand up to meat or cheesy pasta.” (05/2009)

“Fresh and clean, with floral, berry and light vanilla character. Medium-bodied, with a clean finish.” (09/2008)