The Tuscan estate of Talenti lies close to the medieval village of San Angelo, south of Montalcino. The estate was founded in 1980 by Pierluigi Talenti, and consists of 40 hectares in total: 20 hectares of vines (producing Brunello, Rosso di Montalcino and I.G.T.), four hectares of a olive grove, and the remainder given over to orchards, woodland and native bush. The cellars contain 1000-litre barrels of Alliers and Slavonian oak, plus smaller barrels of Alliers oak.
For all stockists of Talenti, see wine-searcher.com.
Talenti Rosso di Montalcino 2005
Lovely hint of sweetness and cherryish brightness, with a creamy quality and little hint of something nutty and herbal. The palate has plenty of dry, savoury, juicy fruit, with lovely acidity and hints of a rustic, robust tannic depth juicy and delicious. 89/100 £10.24
Talenti Brunello di Montalcino 2003
Lovely sense of ripeness and richness, with sweet berry fruit, a refined earthiness and lots of cedar and tobacco. The palate has a lovely cherry juiciness too, with a flood of crisp black fruit, all given support by chocolaty tannins and that smoky oak. Lovely balance here. 92/100. £18.96
Luigi Maffini
Luigi Maffini of Campania, in the south of Italy around Naples, is a family-owned company with 23 hectares of land, only 12 of which is given over to vine. Luigi Maffini owns the company and has run it since 1996, in which time there has been extensive re-planting and upgrading of the cellars.
For all stockists of Talenti, see wine-searcher.com.
Luigi Maffini Kratos 2006
100% Fiano, this has very delicate floral and light honeysuckle aromas. Nice nettly background and delicate pear fruit. The palate has plenty of dry, pithy citrus fruit, with an intensely dry mineral acidity. This is very much a food wine, but lovely, intelligent style. 88/100. £9.71
Luigi Maffini Kleos 2005
70% Aglianico, 20% Piedirosso, 10% Barbera. Nicely dry, savoury and earthy nose, with plenty of inky cherry skin and plum skin quality, but elegant and attractive. The palate too has a cool, earth, liquorice and racy black olive savouriness. Dry and needs food once again. 88/100. £8.60