2001 Brunello di Montalcino

Made in super-ripe style, the deeply-colored 2001 Brunello di Montalcino presents attractive suggestions of earthiness, dark fruit, chocolate and new oak. Made in a soft, accessible style, it is a juicy, ample wine that should drink well relatively early. Anticipated maturity

Deep red. Slightly roasted aromas of redcurrant, cherry, coffee and smoky oak. A supple, sweet midweight, with sangiovese-typical notes of cherry, plum, mocha and leather, all nicely framed by firm acidity. Not the last word in complexity but suave and satisfying, with insidious persistence on the ripely tannic finish.

Deep healthy crimson. Broad spread of aromas that splits the difference between old and new. Rather sweet and bloody start with very pronounced tannins on the finish. Pretty glamorous – very marked acidity. (JR)