As a student in the Intensive Sommelier Training program at the International Culinary Center (ICC) in New York City, I was exposed to a ridiculous range of wine styles and flavor profiles from around the world. Wine tasting in class left me hanging yet inspired—stirred to zip immediately to the wine store to purchase more bottles to re-taste them at home.
I will never forget my first Brunello, savored and sipped outside of class. It was the 2006 Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino from Toscana, Italy. It was the first time I can remember that I actually melted in delight, truly connecting with the juice in my glass. I saved the bottle and still have it.
This wine offered layers of complexity, opening with the primary aromas and flavors of black cherry, red currant, dried rose petals, a touch of tomato, and orange zest. Secondary notes included soft vanilla and clove. Tertiary notes ranged from roasted savory herbs to clay, crushed rock, and Florentine leather. This wine was dry, with medium (+) intensity, medium (+) alcohol, pronounced aroma and flavor intensity, medium (+) body, and high, silky tannins. The finish was long.
Terralsole means “land toward the sun.” Appropriately named, as the fruit character of this wine provides a sure-bet clue there is no shortage of sunrays to ripen Terralsole’s 12 hectares of Sangiovese. Established in 1996, this young winery is run by a husband and wife team, veteran winemaker Mario Bollag and Athena Tergis, both of which are artists. Mario, with a really interesting background and history, spent a number of years in Haiti, working closely with several master painters. His works are found on 4 labels, including this bottle of Brunello. And he too has an English Cream Golden Retriever!
