Le Potazzine Gorelli Rosso di Montalcino 2005
Along with…Giancarlo Pacenti, this is the best of the younger producers of Montalcino, and an estate that has not missed a step since 1988." –Stephen Tanzer, IWC
"A tour de force in winemaking!!!" –Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, Issue #137 (October 2001)
"Proprietor Giuseppe Gorelli’s vineyards lie at a relatively high altitude, which contributes to the ethereal aromatics the wines often show." -- The Wine Advocate, May 2, 2008
Proprietor Giuseppe Gorelli takes an artisan’s approach to winemaking, producing wines of flawless quality with distinctive character and personality on a very small scale. The family originally established their reputation for great Brunello di Montalcino at the "Due Portine" property, which belongs to his father Giancarlo; 1998 Brunello was Giuseppe’s last bottling from that property. Now that the estate of Giancarlo has merged with that of son Giuseppe, all releases come from the family’s "Le Potazzine" vineyards, located in two areas of Montalcino, one closer to the town, and one in its southernmost slopes. "Potazzine" is the Italian name for a small, colorful, lively bird found in the Tuscan countryside, also used as a nickname for small children and specifically for Giuseppe Gorelli's two daughters. The first Le Potazzine release was the 1998 Rosso di Montalcino, which was immediately awarded two glasses by the Gambero Rosso; it received two glasses for the 2000 as well whereas the first released Brunello, from the 1997 vintage, was awarded 97 points by Wine Spectator. The most recently released Brunello 2001 received a strong 93 points from the Wine Spectator, confirmation of this estate's consistently high quality.
Disease and insect control treatments are carried out only when strictly necessary. Copper and sulfur-based products and low environmental impact products are used only on an as-needed basis. As the are located at a relatively high altitude, less disease and pest treatment is necessary. Organic fertilizing is carried out every 2-3 years.
Rosso di Montalcino is often called younger brother of Brunello — it is made from the same variety, but the aging is cut to one year. Winemakers have more freedom with it. They have the right to choose types of aging vessels — be it stainless steel tanks or wooden barrels. Young wines usually have more fruity flavours and less concentration in comparison with Brunello. Yet Rossos well justify themselves as a class of wines which offer good quality / price ratio — an appropriate introduction in the world of Brunello. "Rosso is not a second class Brunello", says Maurizio Grasso, managing director of Casanuova delle Cerbaie. "The wines shouldn’t be overloaded with tannins. They are meant to be drunk young".
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