Talenti, Brunello Riserva 1998

Talenti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1998 is a mature, classically styled Brunello from the southern slopes of Montalcino, crafted from 100% Sangiovese Grosso. This Riserva captures the elegance and depth that have made Talenti one of the quiet benchmarks of the appellation, especially in vintages that reward patience in the cellar. As a well-cellared 1998, it offers the rare opportunity to experience Brunello at full maturity, with beautifully evolved aromatics and silky, resolved structure.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1998 Talenti Brunello Riserva shows a deep garnet core with brick-orange hues at the rim, reflecting its age and long bottle evolution. The nose is complex and layered, with dried cherry, macerated strawberry and blood orange peel framed by notes of leather, tobacco leaf, underbrush and dried rose petals. Subtle nuances of cedar, sweet spices, balsamic, truffle and a touch of forest floor emerge with air, revealing the wine’s time in large oak and in bottle. On the palate, this is an elegant, fully mature Brunello, medium to full-bodied but now more about finesse than power. The fruit leans toward dried red berries, morello cherry and fig, supported by savory notes of porcini, tea leaf, worn leather and a gentle earthiness. The tannins have melted into a fine, velvety grip, while the acidity—so typical of Sangiovese Grosso from Montalcino—keeps the wine lively and focused. At this stage, the 1998 Riserva is at or near peak, offering its most complex tertiary profile; well-stored bottles can still hold, but it is best enjoyed over the next few years to appreciate its full maturity.

Production
Talenti’s Brunello Riserva comes from vineyards around the Pian di Conte estate, south of the village of Montalcino, where Sangiovese Grosso thrives on a mix of clay, limestone and galestro soils under a warm Tuscan climate tempered by elevation and breezes. The estate farms about 21 hectares, with roughly 16 hectares planted to Sangiovese, carefully harvested by hand and sorted on a vibrating table to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes make it into the Riserva. Fermentation takes place in modern, temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to preserve purity of fruit and refine tannin extraction. After fermentation, the wine is traditionally matured in large Slavonian and French oak casks, with selected use of smaller French barriques to add polish and complexity, before extended bottle aging that is essential for a Riserva release. The 1998 vintage thus benefited from both classic Brunello élevage and long-term cellaring prior to release.

Food & Serving
This mature Brunello Riserva pairs beautifully with refined, savory dishes that echo its earthy, evolved character. Think braised veal shank or ossobuco, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary, bistecca alla fiorentina, wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or aged hard cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano stagionato. Serve at 17–18°C (about 62–64°F) in large Burgundy or Bordeaux stems to let the bouquet fully open. Decant gently for 30–60 minutes to separate any sediment and allow the tertiary aromas—leather, mushroom, dried flowers and spice—to unfold, but avoid overly long decanting so the wine’s delicacy is preserved.

Producer
Azienda Agricola Talenti was founded in 1980 by Pierluigi Talenti, who purchased the Pian di Conte estate south of Montalcino and quickly earned a reputation for precise, terroir-driven Brunello. Today the winery is run by his grandson, Riccardo Talenti, who continues to refine the estate’s style by combining meticulous vineyard work with modern cellar practices and a deep respect for tradition. With around 21 hectares under vine—mostly Sangiovese Grosso—Talenti produces a focused range of Montalcino classics: two Brunello di Montalcino cuvées, a Brunello Riserva and a Rosso di Montalcino, alongside Tuscan IGT wines such as Trefolio, Rispollo and their more recent labels Talenti Rosso, Wow (white) and Ups (rosé). The estate is considered one of the steady, dependable names of Montalcino, known for wines that age gracefully and express the region’s balance of structure, aromatic complexity and elegance.

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