2006 Podere Il Cocco Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Mission Codename: il Cocco no es loco

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exclusive and value oriented Rosso di Montalcino for our operatives.

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Podere il Cocco

Wine Subject: 2006 Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Winemaker: Mirco Bindo

Backgrounder:

Today’s selection is 100% Sangiovese grapes from the famed Montalcino region. In addition, the wines from Podere il Cocco are produced using organic and bio-dynamic farming methods resulting in fruit of exceptional quality and flavor character. This wine was aged for 12 months in traditional oak barrels and then sod for immediate consumption. The resulting wine truly highlights the purity of the 100% Sangiovese Grosso fruit.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Deep and intense ruby with ruby hues and reflections through its deep but clear core. Along the edges, the color lighten just slightly to ruby-red and fast thin legs and slow fat legs grace the edge of the glass when swirled.

Smell – Classically old-world and Tuscan aromatically, but in a more youthful and fresher manner. Earthy red cherry and other red fruits backed with a medium spicy kick. Toasted vanilla oak, a touch of wild fennel and pencil shavings add a pleasant complexity.

Feel – This dry full-bodied wine is bright and tangy with youthful medium-fine textured tannins, balanced acidity and a touch of spice that coats the mouth. At mid-palate, the spice kicks in and spreads to the edges to the edges of the mouth.

Taste – Bright, fresh and tart red fruit including Italian red cherry, pomegranate and cranberry are framed by a toasted oak and vanilla backbone. Earth and spice along with a touch of herbal bramble and tar keeps things interesting.

Finish – Medium in length and clean with lingering youthful tannins support the bright fruit and subtle complexity of this fresher Tuscan classic.

Conclusion – The 2006 Podere il Cocco Rosso di Montacino is the fun and fresh younger sibling of the region’s powerhouse wine. Youthful and bright flavors of red fruit and enough complexity to keep things interesting, this wine is perfect for just about any occasion that you’re feeling like adding a little Italian flair. If you are a fan of Sangiovese, then you’ll enjoy this wine.

Mission Report:

Agent Baco Noir had been hard at work, when I met up with her in Siena I could tell she was tired of being in the field for such an extended tour of duty. Not that she was complaining, drinking the finest wines from Italy, but sometimes you need a break. We couldn’t afford to let up for a single moment though. The evil cadre of O.D.S.W. (Only Drink Supermarket Wines) were constantly trying to foil our exploits and force the us to drink a world of boring mass produced flavorless wines.

I knew the perfect way to rejuvenate Baco. A short visit to a small farm with an exceptional view. Don’t tell Agent Blush as she may get jealous, but Baco needed some ‘girl time’. perfect place, a high peak in the Montalcino region with a view of the sea, a bottle of wine and just some quite time to enjoy it.

The perfect location? The farm at Podere il Cocco. I had made arrangements with the winery to visit the vineyards but this was going to be an easy trip. Upon arriving a note was left at the door with a small hand drawn map on it. We followed the map to the top of the hill behind the 200 year old farm-house and stables that had been converted to wine cellar.

Upon reaching the idea spot with a view of the famed Montalcino region, I noticed that Mirco Bindi, the owner and winemaker, had set up a small picnic blanket with a couple glasses and some simple but amazingly delicious Tuscan snacks.

Sitting there, drinking the 2007 Rosso di Montacino and taking a couple hour vacation from the world is exactly what the doctor had ordered.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the Podere il Cocco farm can be seen in this satellite photo.