TERRALSOLE, BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
TUSCANY, ITALY
Why do we love the winemaker Mario Bollag? Let us count the ways.
Actually, come to think of it, it pretty much all comes down to one way: Bollag, the brilliant force behind Terralsole, isn't afraid of modernity.
A former pilot and ski instructor and current artist and entrepreneur, he is part of a thrilling new wave of Italian winemakers who have embraced recent technologies to bring greater precision and depth to their wines -- most notably, in expressing their fruit more fully — while always maintaining a proper regard and even reverence for tradition.
This duality is on dazzling display in the library release from Terralsole we're so proud to be able to bring you today: a trio of Brunellos, from 2012 (92 WS), 2015 (94 WE), and 2016 (93 WS); and another trio of Brunello Riservas, from 2012 (95 WE), 2013 (94 WE), and 2015 (93 JS).
One of the beauties of Brunello is that it becomes more ravishing with age — the exuberant red cherry fruit and mouth-gripping tannins of its youth giving way to seductive notes of dried fig, candied cherry, hazelnut and sun-baked leather.
But of course, this transformation into supple elegance just makes it that much harder for buyers like us to source. Which is why we didn't think twice when a rare opportunity to acquire this library release became available. And especially after a tasting that flat knocked us out.
These are Brunellos as they ought to be: bold and elegantly structured, and with a distinctive character that can only come from a winemaker's deep and intricate knowledge of place. They also possess something more, something ineffably rare: a magical quality of transport — capable of delivering you, in an instant, to the idyllic Montalcino countryside, with its rolling, trellised vineyards and caressing sun.
Located next door to Biondi Santi, the estate long synonymous with Brunello, Terralsole’s 30 acres of vineyards sit within two distinctive terroirs within southern Montalcino: the Pian Bossolino vineyards sit at 1,200 feet on the southeastern slope of Montalcino, and the grapes ripen slowly and evenly, producing elegant, aromatic wines. The vineyards of Fonte Lattaia sit slightly lower, at 750 feet; here, the Sangiovese is impressively rich and dense.
Each of the six is a single-vineyard expression, and made from 100% hand-harvested grapes.
Bollag builds his wines to last, and in our recent tasting we were struck, again and again, by how beautifully all six have matured. None lacks for muscularity, but expert craftsmanship plus the softening of time has brought them a marvelous finesse, one that keeps you coming back for more.
And folks, as wonderfully as they have aged already, they have a good bit more life left in them. We anticipate that they will continue to reward you for many, many years to come.
We're able to make all six available, and with special Concierge Family pricing, for the next week only, so don't delay and stock your cellar today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Late Fall/Winter 2022. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, June 12, 2022.