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2004 Brunello di Montalcino
This newly released vintage is a classic for these Tuscan reds
Just a few days after they harvested their grapes in 2004, producers of Brunello di Montalcino were speaking of a fantastic vintage. Many made comparisons to 1997, a benchmark year in Tuscany and one whose reds are still of excellent quality today.
Now the 2004 Brunellos are arriving in the United States, and lovers of Tuscan reds can judge for themselves. In my opinion, the vintage produced wonderfully perfumed and majestically refined Brunellos with an excellent balance of fruit and refined tannins. Many are beautiful to drink now but will be even better with two or three more years of bottle age. And they should improve for decades to come.
For my report in the April 30, 2009, issue of Wine Spectator, I blind-tasted more than 100 of the wines in my office in Tuscany and have found dozens of outstanding bottles; in fact, about 75 percent received scores of 90 or more points. Prices range from about $40 up to more than $150 a bottle, about the same as or slightly less than those for the 2003 Brunellos.
I expect more great surprises like this as more 2004 Brunellos become available. I can't wait to taste the riservas, which undergo more aging, when they are released next year. Many producers save their best wines for their reserve Brunellos, but what is already out there in the market is seriously good. WineSpectator.com members can find the full list of recently rated 2004 Brunellos in our Wine Ratings Search results, and then save selected wines to their Personal Wine List.
View all recently rated 2004 Brunello di Montalcino wines.
New: For 16 more just-rated Brunellos, check the new Insider, our member-exclusive weekly newsletter of highly rated wines from our editors' latest tastings.
