Bruna’s Restaurant Wine and Dinner in Little Italy Chicago
In town for a weekend including seeing the Cubs vs. Yankees at Wrigley Field, Sis/bro-in-laws Pat & Rodger joined us for dinner at Bruna’s Ristorante in the historic Little Italy restaurant row, Chicago.
We had alternate plans but leaving the ballpark, we called ahead and secured a table for early dinner.
Before dinner we had Bruna’s daily specials, Arancini and Zuchini Blossoms, and dinner salad.
For our dinner entrees, we ordered Eggplant Parmigiana, Veal Parmigiana and their signature Veal Saltimbuca.
Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2019
One of the original estates of Montalcino, Tenuta Col d'Orcia is situated in the village of Sant'Angelo on the outskirts of the medieval hilltop village of Montalcino in Tuscany’s Siena province. The estate dates back to the 1700’s and in 1973, was purchased by the Cinzano family and continues to be owned and managed by Count Francesco Marone Cinzano. Since acquiring the estate, he has upgraded the facilities and substantially increased the vineyard holdings to now be the third largest owner of Brunello vineyards in Montalcino.
The estate’s name Col d’Orcia, translates to “the hill overlooking the Orcia River,” due to its position in the undulating hills between the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle.
The estate includes vineyards, gardens, olive groves, tobacco and wheat fields and is one of the most prolific wineries in Montalcino producing Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino as well as olive oil, grappa and even a Moscadello di Montalcino.
The estate covers around over 1300 acres of which 350 acres are planted to vineyards spread over several varying terrains, with 275 acres planted with the primary Brunello varietal, Sangiovese. The Poggio Al Vento vineyard is one of the premier sites and sources the Riserva wines bearing the same name. The vineyards of the Tenuta Col d'Almost all Orcia are located on the south-eastern slope of the Monte Amiata where powerful and long-lasting plants produce fruits notable for their vibrant acidity.
The sites enjoy a southern orientation that provides the vines with abundant sunshine and vineyard soils of limestone and marl. The located at about 1500 feet above sea level, in the foothills against Mount Amiata (5,700 feet), it protects them from floods and hail. The climate is typically Mediterranean, with limited rainfall coming in from the Tyrrhenian coast, 21 miles away.
The estate is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and has an ageing hall for storing Slavonian oak and Allier oak barrels. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel tanks.
Tenuta Col d'Orcia produces about 800,000 bottles annually, exporting about 80 percent of its production to 70 countries generating annual turnover of is around 5.5 million euros, and according to their statements, are the largest winery in Tuscany.
Col d'Orcia was recognised internationally at the Wine Enthusiast's Annual Wine Star Awards in 2026, receiving the "Environmental Advocate of the Year" award.
Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2019
This release was awarded 95 points by Wine Enthusiast, 94 points by Decanter, Jeb Dunnuck, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, and 93 points by James Suckling and Vinous.
Winemaker Notes “The ample and complex bouquet leads with small, ripe red fruits such as cherry and blackberry. It is well integrated with the oak and vanilla aromas from the long refinement in wood. Full-bodied and balanced, the excellent structure and the enveloping tannic texture reveal a fruity and lasting finish. The finish, enhanced by a good sapidity, recalls the same aroma notes.”
Bright ruby colored, full bodied, fruit forward and round with vibrant, expressive ripe blackberry, dark cherry and plum fruits with notes of herb, sweet tobacco, earthy dusty rose, and hints of cedar and leather, turning to elegant smooth full, polished tannins on the lingering finish.
RM 92 points.
We were served by their journeymen professional staff, some who have been with the restaurant for decades. Following dinner we enjoyed sitting with owner Luciano Silvestri discussing the winelist and menu selections.
No comments:
Post a Comment