The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is an intense, full-bodied offering loaded with dark fruit. The wine possesses tons of richness that carries through all the way to the finish, where notes of tar, licorice, new leather and minerals add further layers of complexity. Today it comes across as extremely primary, but this Brunello should develop beautifully with a few years in bottle. This is a striking wine of mind-bending purity. The Brunello saw a lengthy fermentation and maceration, and was subsequently aged in 30-hectoliter casks. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Sesta di Sopra, a small estate in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, continues to ratchet up the quality, as is evidenced by their 2004 Brunello, which may be the very finest wine ever made here. Importers: Premier Wine Company, Richmond, CA; tel. (818) 731-6238

Mushroom, berry and plum aromas follow through to a full body, with silky and ripe tannins and lots of crushed fruit and berry character. Long and intense. Wonderful and refined. Best from 2010 through 2016. 330 cases made, 115 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

Nice savoury fruit, good acidity. Plenty of ta nnins. A good fin ish, suave and perfumed. Will be very good.

This is a beautiful and bold wine with luscious aromas of sweet spice and vanilla bean backed by blackberries and pretty mineral shadings. In the mouth, the wine is thick and creamy with a velvety texture. It closes with a drying hint of smoke or ash.——M.L.(6/1/2009)—— 92