2004 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
Salicutti's 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione is just about to enter its sweet spot. The aromatics alone are beguiling, with hints of orange peel, white pepper, smoke and exotic spices that come alive in the glass. Firm yet well-integrated tannins give the 2004 much of its energy and pulsating drive. Lavender, sage, tobacco and mint add nuance in a deeply, structured, intense Brunello built for aging. This is a fabulous showing from proprietor Francesco Leanza.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Medium bright red with a palish rim. Lively aromas of redcurrant, rose petal and minerals. Graceful and silky, with a restrained sweetness and lovely energy and definition to its red fruit and floral flavors. Juicy and light on its feet, finishing with firm tannins and a perfumed note of blood orange.
Smudgy ruby. Firm, dense nose – rather beguiling. Sweet, smooth, polished, rather international style. (JR)
His 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione possesses striking depth, transparency and weightlessness as it opens up in the glass. This deeply-scented, layered Brunello offers superb pedigree and class in its ripe red cherries, wild herbs, tobacco, spices and licorice, with a powerful blast of melted road tar that provides the final exclamation point. A firm, structured wine, the profound 2004 Piaggione desperately needs some bottle age, but readers will have a hard time finding a wine with this much sheer class and pedigree. The Piaggione spent two years in medium-size French oak barrels and was neither fined nor filtered prior to bottling. This is a wonderful effort.