October 30, 2023 - Fruit was falling off but the structure was still nice and the bottle enjoyable.
September 4, 2022 - Prior bottle was 15 months ago and my notes were generally similar. Red and black cherries on the nose, along with earth, leather and spice qualities. Medium bodied with the rounded and quite pretty red cherry still showing very well upfront. Mid-body continues to show black and red cherry, coupled with good depth. Tart notes (tart red cherry) and structural qualities (tannins and acidity) come in on the back and through the finish. Spices, light earth and mineral qualities combine with the acidity to provide good finishing length. This wine is not at the level of the 2004, but it has the elements to continue to drink well for several years at this level.
July 4, 2022 - Needed more airtime.
December 18, 2021 - This has the body and texture I expect in BdM. Plenty of cherry fruit, leather, and earth.
December 17, 2021 - Decented 2 hours. Dark brick red, opague with brown'ish edge. Tannins still present. Cherries, leather, spice, complex. Powerfull. Very good. Long finish. This is just so nice. 1 bottle left, see if I can find more, maybe other vintages.
May 31, 2021 - Prior bottle was 10 months ago and this wine continues to show impressively, perhaps even better than my prior bottle led me to believe. Red cherry, red berries, earth, leather and light spice/floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied with rounded, but very expressive red cherry upfront. Mid-body has better depth than previously, showing red and black cherry, mixed with red raspberry. Tart red cherry, fine grained tannins, light spices and mineral notes on the finish. Showed a bit more complexity, a bit more depth and noticeably better integration than my prior bottle. Was really tempted to bump it up a point and I'll plan to open my last bottle in Fall 2021 and hopefully, enjoy similar success.
April 19, 2021 - This bottle has been with me since day one. Drank alongside a Bordeaux from 2003, you could still notice the subtle earthiness of this wine under a big package of power swimming in aged cherries. If you can describe an aged Brunello as "Bright" then you are on to a well aged wine, drinking at its absolute best. Long satisfying finish with more of the cherry skins dancing around...DRINK
April 10, 2021 - Lots of leather and tobacco in this one, along with dried red fruits and dried herbs. Punchy acidity and still noticeable tannins. One bottle left, so I might save the last one for a few more years. Don't know if the fruit will fade.
October 19, 2020 - Even though I decanted this bottle, I put a little into a glass to smell it and see how it evolves. Immediately, it is apparent that this bottle lacks the animal/Brett aspects of the bottle opened 1-½ years ago. After an hour, vanilla and violets on the nose, and loads of dried red fruits on the palate, along with some leather. Punchy acidity and mature tannins hold it all together. I like it more than the last bottle, but still not at the level of past vintages (2001 and 2004).
September 30, 2020 - Gang of 4 in Covid19 times; Brunello (@ RW): In the bouquet some barnyard, stable and autumn forest. On the palate cherries, strawberry, chocolate and also thyme and herbs. Juicy and beautiful acidity and round tannin with a soft bite.