The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is simply gorgeous, offering refined layers of super-ripe dark fruit intermingled with notes of tobacco, scorched earth, toasted oak, spices and flowers that open onto the palate with notable length, mid-palate sweetness and purity of expression. Succulent and juicy, this dark, powerful Brunello will require a few years to integrate its oak tannins but its potential is amply evident even at this early stage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2021. This small producer located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate has turned out two beautiful wines this year. The estate works with low yields and as a result these wines are packed with well-defined flavors in a style that shows excellent concentration and precision without coming across as heavy. Although the wines show some influence of barrique-aging in their oak tannins they are exceptionally well-balanced. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484.

Aromas of ripe fruit, meat and cedar. Full-bodied, velvety and rich. Long and caressing. Needs time. Best after 2008. 1,330 cases made, 120 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

Our panelists had issues with initial lactic and rhubarb notes but warmed up to the wine as it opened. Violets, blueberry, pencil shavings, spicy wood, tealeaf and tobacco are carried forth by bright acids and drying tannins. Imported by Vieux Vins, Inc. ——W.E.(4/1/2006)—— 90