Pieri’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is a dark, brooding beauty endowed with tons of richness in its dark fruit, menthol, spices and earthiness. The wine reveals tons of complexity and depth in a vivid, multi-dimensional style of notable pedigree. With air, notes of leather and tar emerge, adding further shades of nuance as this exceptional Brunello resonates on the palate. At this point, the wine remains hard to fully appreciate as the tannins are imposing, but all of the ingredients are in place for this to develop into a superb Brunello. Simply put, this is sublime juice! Pieri gave the Brunello 12 months in French oak followed by a further 12 months in mid-sized barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. Once again Agostina Pieri has produced two wines that deliver the goods, both in terms of quality, but also in value, something that isn’t easy to say these days about the wines of Montalcino. Importer: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484

Slightly jammy, with hints of candied fruit and lots of raspberry and blackberry character. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,665 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

Ripe, modern nose. Good vibrant fruit, a bit vanilla-oaky, but smooth. Has potential to evolve, although good now.

Agostina Pieri opens with notes of old leather and animal tones that eventually blow off to reveal cured ham and smoked bacon. This is a big, broad expression of Sangiovese with tart cherry flavors and slightly astringent tannins. You might want to give it a few more years of aging to mellow out but whether the aromas will hold over time is uncertain.——M.L.(6/1/2009)—— 87