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2004 Brunello di Montalcino
Power and Elegance
The 2004 vintage was exceptional throughout Tuscany. We have been waiting patiently to be able to offer the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Italy's most famous red wine. We have made our selections based on extensive barrel tastings in Montalcino. We will offer these wines in small groups, although the entire list will be posted on the web site if you want to look at the entire offer before deciding.
The growers who kept the yields very low through frequent green harvesting , as usual, produced the best and most classic wines. The producers we have chosen are all in the elite category of Brunello producers. Their styles run from fiercely traditional to desidedly modern.
These wines will be arriving at various times between April and June. Orders should be received by us within one week of each specific offer.
Ciacci coat of Arms
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona is an estate in Montalcino with a noble history. The palace dates back to the seventeenth century. The Ciacci and Piccolomini families were united by marriage in the mid 1900's. The estate was inherited by Giuseppe Bianchini and is run today by Paolo and Lucia Bianchini. Ciacci Piccolomini is consistently ranked by Italy's top wine publications as one of the top ten estates in all of Italy. The 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino is very elegant in a traditional style. The 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso is a more powerful wine from their best single vineyard.
Leonardo LoCascio bought Poggio San Polo In partnership with Marilisa Allegrini, the famed Veneto winemaker. San Polo is a beautiful estate located in the southeastern part of Montalcino, overlooking the Sant'Antimo valley and Mount Amiata. The picturesque olive groves and a magnificent farmhouse enrich the property with a natural, genuine Tuscan charm, while the modern, underground winery and cellar provide the best environment and technology for state-of-the-art winemaking. Leonardo and Marilisa farm organically and took on Carlo Ferrini, one of Tuscany's greatest winemakers. The 2004 Poggio San Polo Brunello di Montalcino is a rich, classically styled Brunello.
Just down the road from San Polo sits the old farmhouse of Podere Salicutti. Salicutti is a biodynamic estate run with great care by owner Francesco Leanza. Because of his philosophy of everything totally natural, the wines of Salicutti are very distinctive in style and among the finest in Montalcino. The 2004 Salicutti Brunello diMontalcino Piaggione is a single vineyard wine of stunning character. Supply of this one is very limited.
Palazzo Altesi-Altesino
Next, we'll shift across town to the north and visit old friends Claudio Basla and Guido Orzalesi at the justly famous Altesino estate. Claudio is the first innovator in Montalcino, having pioneered the use of new oak barriques as well as the concept of single vineyard Brunello. Altesino is a richer and somewhat softer wine than strictly traditional Brunello, yet still develops wonderfully with age. The 2004 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino is a rich wine with elegance and finesse. Altesino's finest wine comes from the Montosoli vineyard. I will let Claudio tell you why: "perfect balance between muscular power and elegance, due to the unique soil, microclimate, [exposure] to the sun and altitude of the vineyard"...Montosoli always shows incredible power, yet maintains a superb backbone of tannins and acidity...". The 2004 Altesino Brunello diMontalcino Montosoli is, quite simply, superb.
| Our Rating | Price |
| 2004 Poggio San Polo Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 69.99; Mixed Case, 62.99; Case, 59.49 |
| 2004 Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione | Excellent | 95.99/bottle 86.39/mixed case 81.59/case |
| 2004 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 71.99/bottle 64.79/mixed case 61.19/case |
| 2004 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli | Excellent to Superb | 120 net |
Orders for the wines above above must be placed by March 6th to insure availability when they arrive.
| 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 52.99/bottle 47.69/mixed case 45.04/case |
| 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrossa | Excellent | 68.99/bottle 62.09/mixed case 58.64/case |
| 2004 Siro Picenti Brunello di Montalcino | Excellent | 96 net |
| 2004 Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino Pertimali | Excellent | 82.99; Mixed Case, 74.69; Case, 70.54 |
| 2004 Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 54.99; Mixed Case, 49.49; Case, 46.74 |
| 2004 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino | Excellent to Superb | 145 net |
| 2004 Capanna Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 42.99; Mixed Case, 38.69; Case, 36.54 |
| 2004 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 69.99/bottle 62.99/mixed case 59.49/case |
| 2004 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino Altero | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 79.99; Mixed Case, 71.99; Case, 67.99 |
| 2004 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino | Very Good Plus to Excellent | 74.99; Mixed Case, 67.49; Case, 63.74 |
| 2004 Il Poggiolo Brunello di Montalcino Il Poggiolo | Very Good to Excellent | 74.99; Mixed Case, 67.49; Case, 63.74 |
| 2004 Il Poggiolo Brunello di Montalcino Beato | Excellent to Superb | 138.00 net |
Standard discounts apply except net items Any six bottles of one wine merits a discount of 10% except net items
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