GREPPONE MAZZI Brunello di Montalcino DOCG   VINTAGE: 1999   VARIETY: 100% Sangiovese, locally referred to as "Brunello"   VINEYARDS: Place of production: Greppone Mazzi Estate and "le Logge" vineyards in Montalcino. Hilly land of Eocene origin. Soil with abundant galestro rock, poor in clay. Mesoclimate: Wide day-night temperature swings, especially during summer, produce the ideal conditions for the grapes' maturation process. Altitude: 689-1,509 feet above sea level Growing system: Cordon trained Vine density: Up to 12,500 vines per acre (5,000 vines per hectare) Age of vineyards: The oldest vineyards date back to the mid 1970s while the youngest are in the initial production phase. More than 50% of the vineyards have been replanted. A 50-year-old Brunello vine provided mother stock for the new plantings.   VINIFICATION AND AGING: Harvest: Only the best grapes, selected during hand harvesting, are used to produce "Greppone Mazzi" Brunello di Montalcino. Picking began in the first week of October and was slightly early compared to normal years. Several passes were made through the vineyards in order to pick the bunches at exactly the right state of maturation. Yield was 14-16 tons per acre (6-6.5 tons per hectare). The 1999 vintage was [VINTAGE DETAILS]. Fermentation: The alcoholic fermentation, aided by racking and punching down, took place in stainless-steel vats at a controlled temperature of 82°-86°F for two weeks. It was followed by further maceration on the skins for 15 days. Aging: After completing malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged in 792-1,585 gallon (30/60 HL) oak casks for 36 months. After a brief rest in stainless-steel vats, the wine was bottled and further refined for eight months minimum. ABV: Alcohol content is 14%   TASTING NOTE: Ruby red in color, with garnet hues. The bouquet is intense and generous, with notes of cherry, red currant, and ripe plum graced with a hint of rosemary and thyme. Inviting scents of chocolate, figs, and nuts give the aroma depth, while spicy hints of cloves and leather emerge with airing. If tasted young, Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino is pleasantly tannic with a massive structure and dominant notes of brandied fruit and plums, with hints of vanilla deriving from the long oak aging. As it ages, the wine becomes harmonious and smooth, developing intriguing notes of cinnamon, cloves, marmalade and caramel. The long, aromatic finish attests to this wine's exemplary quality and elegance.   PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino is a robust, intensely flavored wine that begs for rich dishes such as veal with a red wine reduction sauce, seared duck breast, or cinghiale (rabbit ragú) over pasta. It is also a natural with cheeses such as Pecorino Toscano and Taleggio.   SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $63.00   FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1979