2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino

The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is simply beautiful. Now that the wine is in bottle it is even better than when I tasted it from barrel. Firm but silky tannins frame a core of ripe dark fruit as this powerful yet elegant Brunello opens up in the glass. Smoke, cured meats, earthiness and graphite develop in the glass, adding further complexity. Sweet roses and spices linger on the long, refined finish. This is a big, structured Brunello, and like all of Abbruzzese's wines, it needs at least a few years of bottle age before it offers its finest drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Review Date: June 2009