2001 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The estate’s brooding 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is tarry and earthy, offering potent notes of backward dark fruit and smoke on a big, strapping frame with outstanding length, great overall balance and plenty of style. With some air it is absolutely irresistible today, but it also appears to have enough stuffing to age for at least another decade. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2016. I was very impressed with the richly colored, stylish wines I tasted from this winery located in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate subzone in the southeastern corner of Montalcino. Despite being owned by a corporate parent, quality at this estate is quite high. In particular the Rosso, from the hot 2003 vintage, was one of the most compelling wines I tasted while preparing this article. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The estate's brooding 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is tarry and earthy, offering potent notes of backward dark fruit and smoke on a big, strapping frame with outstanding length, great overall balance and plenty of style. With some air it is absolutely irresistible today, but it also appears to have enough stuffing to age for at least another decade. Anticipated maturity
Bright ruby-red. Sexy, highly aromatic nose combines wild berry liqueur, smoke, leather, earth, coffee, meat and licorice. Lush, suave and smooth, with broad, silky flavors of raspberry and smoked meat. Rich but not especially sweet thanks to firm acids. Conveys an impression of concentration and extract perfectly supported by spine. Finishes broad but shapely, with firm tannins and excellent length.
Dark crimson. Chunky, autumnal nose. Thick and rather furry fruit. Picked just a little too ripe perhaps? Certainly very chewy and alcoholic at the moment with quite painful acidity. (JR)