2014 Marchesi Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello
Red as a ruby in sunlight and delivering equally bright aromas of stewed plum, pressed violet and poached pear. The medium-bodied, lusciously fresh palate offers delicate flavors of raspberry, almond and minerals. We think it’s divine, but if you need a second opinion, Vinous calls this “An outstanding Brunello, in fact one of the better ones from Antinori in years.”
There just aren't many on the level of Piero Antinori. Process this for a moment: He represents the 25th generation in an unbroken string of vintners, beginning in 1385. 26 generations! His family started accumulating knowledge about vineyard and cellar practices when Chaucer was working on The Canterbury Tales. It's difficult to comprehend. His lifetime experience cannot be overstated as he has literally been involved with wine his entire life. In fact, one of his first memories is of German soldiers shooting barrels in his family's cellars as Europe descended into chaos at the end of WWII. He has a truly encyclopedic knowledge of what it means to be a winemaker, and he understands that he is a vital link from his family's past to its future as the Antinori footprint expands across the globe.
Vinous
Bright red. Delicate nuances of quince and poached pear complement perfumed violet and lily of the valley aromas on the enticingly pure, almost aromatic nose. Then delicate flavors of almond kernel, raspberry and minerals on the tangy, piquant, lusciously fresh palate. More raspberry notes repeat on the nicely perfumed, lingering finish. An outstanding Brunello, in fact one of the better ones from Antinori in years; I especially like it because it just goes with the flow of the year rather than trying too hard to extract what could not be obtained from this weather-challenged vintage. Lovely stuff; well done.