Brunello di Montalcino, Azienda Agricola Agostina Pieri 2004

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.

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.