Why oh Why do we buy expensive bottles of wine?

Another huge mistake in my wine buying. Tonight, to start the (one-year long) celebration of my wonderful spouse's 60th birthday, we opened a 2012 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino with wonderful eggplant parmesan. This wine is $70 retail and got 95 points from Spectator and Robert Parker, who said:

Riccardo Talenti and his family have crafted a bold and deeply saturated wine. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Pian di Conte shows a contemporary side with soft cherry aromas followed by sweet spice and dark chocolate. It also delivers some of those tangy balsamic and licorice-like aromas that are so specific to Sangiovese from Montalcino. You get power as well as a good dose of authenticity with this age-worthy Riserva.

Well, I'll tell you what. This wine is pretty disgusting. In desperation we opened a $12 Montepulciano as a backup, which far outshone this Brunello. The Brunello has some Brett, and its flavors are dark and bitter. Nothing to like there. Oh my, was I an idiot. My former boss from 25 years ago sung the praises of Brunellos, so I collected many of the better ones, and guess what? The emperor has no clothes. This is amazing--Brunellos are supposed to mature into things of wonder, whereas this wine must've been good when young, but now it's disgusting.

As I've said forever, "any idiot can overpay for wine. It takes no skill at all. What is difficult is buying good wines at low prices." Shame on me. Waste of money.

I urger you all to buy your good wines down in the $12-$20 price range. With careful selection, you won't be disappointed, and you will be much richer.

The Monty we opened is a very sub-par one (2016 La Villa), and yet it was far better, at all of $12. 

Think, and learn, from my many mistakes!

Review of 93-point Castelli Martinozzi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino

I've been drinking and collecting fine wines for more than 40 years, and have been making wine for more than 25 years. Wine Spectator gave this wine 92 points in 2017, saying:

"Underbrush, scorched earth, dark spice and grilled herb aromas slowly take shape on this full-bodied red. The chewy, enveloping palate doles out mouthfuls of fleshy black cherry, juicy blackberry, ground pepper and clove while ripe tannins provide support. The lingering finish closes on a mocha note. Drink 2018–2026."

Wow. And we drank it tonight inside its drinking window. It was pretty bad.

It is NOT full-bodied. Way too thin. It has the right acid, but no fruit. Makes me wonder who spiked the bottle that Spectator tasted, because usually they are trustworthy.

This kind of evening makes one wonder if cellaring good wines for years, under proper conditions, is worthwhile. Seriously, you can buy $12 Sangios that deliver more fun than this (and this was $45). 

It takes no skill to overpay for wine. Any fool can do it. And we're all made fools when an expensive wine that's supposed to be good, isn't.

2010 Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino

Awful bottle. Little fruit evident. Predominant flavor is licorice; yuck. And it is far too hot at 15%; this isn't a port, people. When I consider the cost of this Brunello ($90 retail), it's a disaster compared to other Brunellos. Notice that only J. Suckling gave it a really good score; the other pros did not. Stay away! There are many better Brunellos out there, for less money. What a disappointment.

A fine Brunello should sing like an angel. Wow, but this is awful.