It sometimes take little details to plant a certain wine producer in your brain.
Besides her friendliness and knowledge, one thing that hit my memory button with Pian dell'Orino at Polaner Tasting was owner's Caroline Pobitzer proud statement that they are the only Consultant Free property in the area.
Pian dell'Orino is based in Montalcino, Tuscany (near Biondi Santi) and comprises 4 different vineyards for a total area of 6 hectares.
After studying the soils extensively they adopted organic-biodynamic methods.
I started with their Rosso di Montalcino 2006, 100% Sangiovese Grosso, rich, a bold wine if there was one.
"The warm microclimate, often ventilated by by south west winds “Libeccio and Scirocco” and the north wind “Tramontana”, creates large temperature differences between day and night.
Grapes come from the vineyards Pian Bossolino and Pian dell’Orino, which are situated at
280-370m above sea level."
Then Caroline gave me a sneak preview of the Rosso di Montalcino 2007 which they had just bottled a week prior.
Very similar in style to the 2006, it will not be available in the US until May 09.
Last came the special treat, the Brunello di Montacilno 2004 for which grapes are checked individually.
Also 100% Sangiovese this time from the vineyards "Pian dell’Orino and Pian Bossolino, which are
situated at 420 and 330-370 m above sea level; the age of these vines are between 9 and 32 years."
The wine was bottled unfiltered in January 2008 including for Magnum collectors, 248 of these big boys.
More Italian Reds of Late: Best Sangiovese Bang for the Buck, Poggialupi 2006 by Fattoria Rodano