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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Tuscan wine tasting, March 9/14

The Date and Time: Sunday, March 9, 2014   4PM to 6PM
The Event: Donatella Cinelli Colombini Tuscan wine tasting, with Violante Gardini, the heir to the business.
The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve, King and Spadina
The Target Audience: private clients and wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through Le Sommelier (www.lesommelier.com), some by private order, others in consignment or LCBO.
The Quote/Background: Violante was in town for next day's Brunello tasting; I have folded into here all of her wines from both shows.
 
The Wines: Some of her leading wines are in the Prime Donne series – four women winemakers/advisers select wines from the best barrels to produce a blend designated as top quality, but not every year. Over the passage of time, it appears that the best barrels are actually from 700 litre tonneau.
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Rosso di Montalcino 2011, $26.95
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Il Drago e le 8 Colombe IGT Toscana Rosso 2010, $28.95 Consignment (60sangiovese, 20merlot, 20sagrantino)
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donna 2007, $66.95 consigment
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donna 2008, $69.95 private
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2009
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2008
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Leone Rosso Orcia 2010, $20.95 Consignment
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2004, $89.95 consignment
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2007, $57.95 consignment
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino 2008
-Donnatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2007
 
The Food: charcuterie, cheese, breads.
The Downside: I did not speak with Violante, mainly because it was a selling situation and the room was packed with people, including a cluster around her.
The Upside: a chance to taste her wide variety of wines at both shows.
The Contact Person: bernard@lesommelier.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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