Critics Ratings

Brunello di Montalcino Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso 2004

‘The estate’s 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso possesses striking depth as endless layers of sweet, perfumed fruit emerge with tons of grace. This, too, is an intense, full-bodied wine. The balance here is utterly exceptional, and the wine’s sheer plumpness makes for a highly rewarding glass of Brunello. Succulent dark cherries, spices, underbrush, minerals and new leather come to life as the wine sits in the glass, yet this remains a backward, structured Brunello in need of serious bottle age. The Pianrosso is a terrific effort from proprietor Paolo Bianchini. Ciacci’s Pianrosso is an old-vines selection that spent 36 months in Slavonian oak. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.’ - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Jun 2009)

‘Very fruity aromas of raspberry, plum and fresh flowers lead to a full-bodied palate, with round, soft tannins and lots of juicy, delicious fruit. Very attractive. Hard not to drink it now.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Jun 2009)

Brunello di Montalcino Siro Pacenti 2004

‘The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is a huge, dense wine that explodes from the glass with tar, smoke, earthiness black cherries and minerals. The wine possesses dazzling concentration and tons of richness, as waves of fruit coat the palate in stunning style. This big, dramatic Brunello needs time in bottle, but it is nothing short of magnificent today. The balance, and the integration of the French oak in particular, is brilliant. For those who are curious to try a bottle now, the wine should be opened a few hours in advance as the tannins are imposing at this stage. This is a rare Brunello of superb pedigree and complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.’ - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, 97/100 (Jun 2010)

‘Sweet cherry on the nose, with a hint of flowers and new oak. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and a long, rich finish. Powerful and rich for the vintage. A new wine from the master of Brunello. Best after 2011.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Jun 2010)

Brunello di Montalcino Uccelliera 2004

‘Complex aromas of rose, blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, with wonderfully velvety tannins and focused, juicy, rich fruit. Long and intense. The finish shows berry, tobacco, toasty oak, berry and chocolate. Goes on and on. One of the wines of the vintage. Best after 2011.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 97/100 (Apr 2009)

‘The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is simply gorgeous in the way all of its elements come together. It’s hard to know where to start with this wine. Smoke, scorched earth, black cherries and wild herbs are all melded seamlessly in a Brunello loaded with flavor, personality and sheer character. The wine possesses formidable concentration and phenomenal length, with lingering notes of sweetness that round out the close. Uccelliera’s Brunello was impressive from cask, and it is just as impressive now that it is in bottle. Readers who have the opportunity to taste the wine at this young stage should not hesitate although a few years are needed before it blossoms fully. Simply put, this is the finest wine I have tasted from Andrea Cortonesi. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.’ - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Jun 2009)

Brunello di Montalcino Sesti Phenomena Riserva 2004

‘What a perfumed and focused nose, with ripe raspberry aromas. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a balance of beautiful fruit and dried flowers that resemble rose petals. Best after 2011.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Jun 2010)

‘Phenomena Riserva offers huge intensity and fullness with opulent notes of black fruit, spice and tobacco. The wine wins points in the mouth where it shows lovely density and persistence.’ - Wine Enthusiast, 92/100 (Oct 2010)

Brunello di Montalcino Salvioni La Cerbaiola 2004

‘This 2004 Brunello di Montalcino appears to have barely budged since it was released a few years back. Stylistically, the 2004 remains one of the more mid-weight vintages at Salvioni, yet it is so finessed. Remarkably fresh and nuanced, the 2004 has all the qualities that made it so appealing when it was a young wine. Everything is simply in the right place. What a gorgeous wine this is.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 96/100 (May 2016)

‘Shows aromas of clove, vanilla, blueberry and cherry. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a fruity, chewy tannin finish. Needs some bottle age to mellow a little. Best after 2011. 725 cases made.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Apr 2009)

Brunello di Montalcino Il Poggione 2004

‘The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is awesome. This finessed, regal Brunello flows onto the palate with seamless layers of perfumed fruit framed by silky, finessed tannins. The wine remains extremely primary at this stage, and its full range of aromas and flavors have yet to emerge, but the sheer pedigree of this Brunello is unmistakable. The elegant, refined finish lasts an eternity, and subtle notes of menthol, spices, licorice and leather add final notes of complexity. The Brunello is made from four vineyards ranging from 250 to 400 meters in altitude, all in Sant’Angelo in Colle. The wines from the various vineyards were aged separately in French oak casks prior to being assembled and bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034.’ - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Jun 2009)

‘Has blackberry and coffee bean, with a hint of cream on the nose. Full-bodied and tight, with slightly austere and chewy tannins, but there is pretty, ripe fruit underneath it all. Best after 2010.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 91/100 (Apr 2009)

Provenance

Private Client