At the end of a very cold February marked by heavy snow falls on the 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th the Bevenuto Brunello 2012 edition took place in the wonderful frame of the Museum cloister of Montalcino. On the occasion 250 journalist and 450 operators, admitted by invitation only, had the advance opportunity to taste the new vintage of Brunello 2007, Brunello Riserva 2006, and Rosso di Montalcino 2010. The wineries present were about 150, all animated by a strong competitiveness and desire to stand out. For us it was the occasion to see lots of old friends and to meet new ones. The hard core of the discussion among producers and critics was the old question of "traditional" or "modern" Brunellos. Personally I am particularly fond of Brunellos which are the expression of the territory, wines which go near the typical Tuscan cuisine, important, subtle wines, but easy to drink. I could recognize these wines among thousand because I smell the fragrance of my land in them. But someone else in Italy or in the world can prefer a new generation Brunello that is made with modern tecniques of vinification and aged in barriques, and get a more international taste. I think wine is a personal pleasure, so when the production rules and regulations are respected, in a free market there is room for everybody. Big concerns with their organisation and marketing but even small familiar wineries producing traditional and have their faithful customers, let Brunello be known all over the world. After finishing these reflections a Florentine steak bought at Asso's shop is waiting me, together with a Brunello Cerbaiona '99. If tonight in a New York restaurant someone will accompany his steak to a Brunello with different characteristics, nothing changes: the most important thing is that Brunello is known, appreciated all over the world and recognized as excellence produced exclusively in Montalcino. However, the valutation is important for everybody, above all for the future generations. After that, a special praise to the promoters of the event for the care, but personally I think that Brunello would need a greater stature event. I want to leave commments, opinions, smelling notes and technical definitions to sector professionals while I will confine myself to mention wines and concerns which touched me, leaving an indelible memory of this wonderful day end with an excellent lunch at Paola & Franca's.

Rosso di Montalcino 2010                 Brunello 2007                                  Brunello 2006 Riserva
Caprili                                                 Salvioni La Cerbaiola                            La Rasina
Padelletti                                            Eredi Fuligni                                       Lisini
Mastrojanni                                         Casanuova delle Cerbaie                       Il Poggiolo
Capanna                                            Talenti
Le Chiuse                                           Uccelliera