Ruby core, garnet rim, transparent as expected. Very expressive nose at first pour and it stayed that way throughout: cherries, clean scorched earthiness, mellow oak. On palate, huge sapidity and complex flavour profile; moderate level of ripe tannins, good acidity, moderate alcohol. Rich, nicely balanced, good length and complexity; complete and pleasant in every way. Ready now.

Anteprima. Ruby, clear. Not nearly as expressive as the 2003 at first pour, but opened up after 20 or so minutes with minerals, earth and a little spiciness. On palate, big minerality and an agreeable touch of oak but a little hollow; very acidic, nicely tannic. Somewhat short and simple; missing that mid-palate length. To be released in Feb 2009.

Anteprima. Ruby, clear. On nose, very clean (almost ozone-y), faintly cherry-like, but really nothing much. On palate, some good minerality, but very closed; acidic, good tannic structure and texture. Could develop into something good before release, but maybe not… No rating.

Anteprima. Ruby, clear. Closed to start, but opened with sweet fruitiness and clean earthiness – nice. On palate, very savoury, with big minerality (almost salty), good earthiness, some mint/eucalyptus; lowish acidity for a Brunello, good/firm tannins. Reasonably long, complex, and balanced.

Oh yes, this is why I love Brunello. Garnet. Wonderfully expressive at first pour; absolute Brunello typicity on the nose: fruit, earth, roasted kernels. On palate, good acidity, ripe tannins, very flavourful. Much more concentrated than normal Brunellos (i.e., not so much typicity on the palate). Complex, long, rich and wonderful wine.

Anteprima. Ruby. On nose, fruit, roses, violets, sweet spices, toasted/roasted nuts and kernels. On palate, earthy, minerally, sapid; acidic, nicely tannic. More austere than the 2003 (making it more Brunello-like on the palate). Long and complex.

Anteprima. Dark garnet (why?). Slightly balsamic, otherwise closed. Nice concentration of flavours (earth and mins), acidic, highish level of grippy tannins. Good length and complexity. Could be great at release... No rating.

Anteprima. Ruby. On nose, sweet/delicate fruits, some balsamic notes. On palate, good earth and savory minerality; lowish acidity, but nicely and firmly tannic. Soft finish, missing mid-palate. Hard to predict its future. No rating.

Garnet, clear. Big, expressive nose, at first pour and sustained; mature fruits (plums and figs), earth, hint of mellow oak, some animal character. Big concentration of complex flavours; balanced in all its structural components. Emilia Nardi said this was the first vintage from this vineyard.

Anteprima. Ruby, clear. Not much on the nose, and nothing much developed over the next half hour. On palate, sourly acidic, rough tannins, but a lot more flavour than the nose suggests (rich minerality and earthiness, bare hint of fruit). Not so satisfying. No rating.

Anteprima. Ruby, dense. Very little going on – some subtle fruit and floral, with some balsamic notes with time in the glass. Spicy and minerally on the palate; moderate acidity, grippy tannins. Fairly simple and short. Too delicate for my tastes. No rating.

Anteprima. Ruby, dense. Nice, youthful, fruity nose. On palate, richly flavourful with minerality and earthiness dominating; nicely acidic and good/potent tannins. Warm and rich; long and complex; balanced. Good Brunello typicity too, except for the visual denseness.