2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
Earthy and intense, the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva pulls the taster down to the earth with a burst of flowery undergrowth, dark soil tones and soy. It then blossoms in the glass to reveal dried black cherries, rosemary and pine. This is seductively ripe and silken in feel, with a core of zesty acidity to balance. The 2004 seems to cascade across the palate with tactile mineral tones and edgy tannins that add a crunchy sensation toward the close. The finish is structured and firm yet not forbidding, leaving hints of licorice and sous bois to fade slowly. The 2004 is showing its maturity, but is still lively. While tertiary notes have begun to appear, there's an energy here that will make this enjoyable for many years to come.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Readers who own Fuligni's 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva are going to be thrilled, as the wine is developing beautifully in bottle. Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, lavender, incense and sage are infused throughout. Dark, fleshy and super-expressive, the 2004 Riserva hits all the right notes.
Opened four hours before tasting. Bright rich ruby. Scented and serious. Dense Sangiovese fruit – very conscious of its own stateliness. Still very youthful. Savoury, dry and dense. Serious! Broad shoulders but not, for the moment, fun. (JR)
The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva reveals gorgeous clarity, precision and richness in a generous, enveloping style. The fruit remains incredibly pure and almost primary at this stage, suggesting the wine has many years of fine drinking ahead of it. Deceptively medium in body, Fuligni's Riserva has plenty of tannic clout to back up the sexy, opulent fruit. A layered, impeccable finish rounds out this utterly brilliant Riserva.