2002 Soldera (Case Basse) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
The 2002 Brunello di Montalcino is a gorgeous, understated beauty in a very challenging year that generally produced most wines. Not here. Soldera’s 2002 caresses the palate with floral and spice overtones, along with the inner sweetness that is typical of vintages with a late harvest. Silky tannins pull it all together on the close. I have had slightly more profound bottles than this, but the 2002 remains a triumph given the cool, rainy weather that marked most of the summer.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2002 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva speaks to precision, understatement and class. I don't find the energy and pure vibrancy of the best bottles, but the 2002 is nevertheless quite pretty. Most days the 2002 bests the 2003, but in this tasting the 2003 clearly carries the day. The 2002 has often been much more compelling than this.
The 2002 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is developing into a surprisingly delicate, almost Burgundian wine. Refined and utterly weightless in the glass, the 2002 is all about precision. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries and spices linger on the finish. Although quite beautiful today, the 2002 is an infant, as the flavors remain quite primary. Tonight, finesse rules the day, but in previous tastings the 2002 has always come across as quite structured and tannic. This will be a fascinating Brunello to track for the next several decades.
2002 was a terrible year. Gianfranco Soldera didn't want to pick but his wife, Graziella, insisted that they do and said that if he wouldn’t pick, she would. She and her sister selected the grapes. Just 6,000 bottles made from 10 ha – their lowest ever production apart from 2014. This is Gianfranco's son Mauro's favourite vintage. Autumn leaves and light and fresh. Wonderful despite the vintage. Wild roses. Super fresh and mineral. Long and deep. Floral. (JR)