2001 Brunello di Montalcino
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Even at twenty years old, the 2001 Brunello di Montalcino shows a dark red color with only a slight bricking at the rim. It’s deep and intense, boasting a display of sweet tobacco, lavender and violets with rich cherry sauce, balsam and hints of brown sugar. It is creamy in feel, cast across a medium-bodied frame, as energy is maintained through a mix of nervous acids and citrus-tinged blackberry fruits. Smoked meat, salty minerals and hints of soy are the only sign of its twenty years of maturity, informing the long and savory finale. Today, I find the 2001 a few years past its peak, yet it’s drinking quite nicely, especially in the context of the fruit-forward Fanti style of the time. Sampled from the winery's cellar.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Fanti’s deep, almost purplish-colored 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is a simple, one-dimensional offering showing notes of super-ripe, jammy dark fruit, raisins and licorice with good length and a soft, supple personality. Though well-made from a technical standpoint, it shows little of the complexity or pedigree that one expects from a Brunello. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018. Fanti’s vineyards are located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate towards the southern part of the zone. Admittedly, I find this producer’s wines perplexing as they seemingly have little to do with Sangiovese from Montalcino, an impression that was reinforced when I tasted barrel samples of the 2003 and 2004 Brunellos at the estate. Those wines, from two extremely different vintages, showed very little identity or connection to the region, in addition to which they were virtually identical. Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
Fanti's deep, almost purplish-colored 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is a simple, one-dimensional offering showing notes of super-ripe, jammy dark fruit, raisins and licorice with good length and a soft, supple personality. Though well-made from technical standpoint it shows little of the complexity or pedigree that one expects from a Brunello. Anticipated maturity
Deep red-ruby. Aromas of nuts, meat, baking spices and bonfire, with a suggestion of dusty oak. Thick, silky and fat, with moderately sweet flavors of plum and smoke. This boasts a lush entry and good volume but shows a slightly disjointed roasted/tart character. Finishes firmly tannic, with a hint of lead pencil and a slight tart edge. A puzzling showing today.