772 | Wine | Brunello Di Montalcino | Page 4

"An enticing mix of macchia, mint, iron, cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors get caught up in the firm, taut structure. Shows fine intensity and expression of place, with a lingering finish of spice and underbrush."

"This red starts out ripe and accessible, boasting plum, cherry and chocolate flavors, then turns firm and tight on the finish, where tobacco and mineral notes take over. I like the potential of this when it integrates more fully."

"A combination of power and finesse, this red evokes concentrated plum, cherry and underbrush flavors, with a vibrant structure. Gets more focused on the long, racy finish, where cherry, spice and mineral notes interplay."

"Dark wild cherries, new leather, spices, minerals and menthol flow effortlessly from this seamless, beautifully ripe Brunello. The intensity of the fruit carries through nicely on the long, polished finish."

"The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Le Lucere is a quirky, idiosyncratic wine. High-toned, mentholated aromatics lead to a core of dark fruit in this firm, classically built Brunello. This is a decidedly more structured style than the more forward fruit-driven 2005s. The overt oak and rising bouquet suggest volatile acidity that is at the higher end of the range most tasters are likely to find acceptable. Readers who can look past those imperfections will find a very pretty Brunello to enjoy over the next decade or so, perhaps longer."

This wine was named #9 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2012.

"Though dense and rich, this red is also sleekly proportioned and harmonious. The cherry, raspberry, licorice, earth and tobacco flavors meld with the solid structure. Offers fine length and complexity that increases with aeration."