December 26, 2023 - This is why I’m such a big fan of properly aged Brunello’s! And then in particular if it is from such an excellent vintage as 1999 (better than the 1997 and 2001 IMO).
This was my last bottle of this wine, and I have only 2 other ‘99 Brunello left in my cellar (a Casa Nova di Neri Cerretalto and a Poggio di Sotto).
It showed great, much in line with my previous note.
Again I want to stress to give this wine plenty of time to enjoy it to its full potential. This time I actually opened it on the afternoon the day before Christmas dinner. It was nice when I tasted it that evening, but it was really singing the next evening during dinner.
December 28, 2021 - 99/01 Brunello Showdown Night. Tasted semi-blind. Drank in Conterno Sensory.
Appearance is murky (already stood upright few days though), deep intensity, garnet colour. Legs.
Nose medium+ intensity, with aromas of soy, slightly stewed black fruits, leather, meat, chocolate. Developed.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol (14%), powdery prickly high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of black plums, black cherries, dark red cherries, soy, earth, spice. Long alcoholic finish.
Very good quality. A powerful Brunello. Probably at peak.
December 28, 2021 - This is most certainly a classic example of.a great Brunello. Well aged, from a great vintage and a great vineyard.
Popped and slow-oxed over 6 hours.
Medium ruby color with some amber at the rim. Full aromas of cherry, blackberry, leather and some hat, mushrooms and hints of laurel and sme floral notes. Full bodied with silky-smooth mouth coating tannins, balanced acidity and sweet fruit. A very long finish that keeps on lingering.
Probably at/near its peak right now but still full of life and structure. Drink now - 2029.
June 4, 2021 - Very Nice. Herbs, leather, Earth, forest all togethers in the glass. Maybe a little heavy on the oak, could be the’normal’ Brunello is more fresh? But very good, and it will not improve from here.
March 16, 2021 - Bellissimo! Acquired new. Everything one could want in a well made well stored Brunello. At its peak.
April 4, 2020 - Pop and pour. Drunk over a few hours.
Ripe and deep with dark strawberry fruit, spice, menthol, and florals on the nose. It's full bodied and expansive yet focused on the palate with more dark Sangiovese fruit, spice, and some basil, menthol undertones on the back end. With time some ferrous meaty notes add to the whole. Its powerful and broad, but this power is in balance. There is a lot going on here, but it comes together beautifully exemplifying power and grace. Very long on the back end with more spice, perfume, and ripe tannins. Outstanding and for me at peak.
June 21, 2019 - Decanted an hour before tasting, better after another hour, almost no sediment despite the age. Inky, silty purple in the glass, with some rust, long legs. Mature, port-like nose of plum, raisin, pie spice. Surprisingly sweet and fruit-forward to the taste, a mix of raw and cooked black fruit, some caramel, and some underlying minerality, nonetheless lithe and not too heavy. Long finish, with rustic tannins that are still assertive after 20 years. Maybe a few years past peak, but still very good, not my tip-top favorite Brunello but it's nicely crafted and very likable.
July 6, 2018 - Courtesy of Fut. Decanted. Soy and sandalwood notes, followed by cherry, currants, dried strawberry and anise. Flavors of dark fruit and red plums. Lengthy finish. Dusty tannin. Excellent, with plenty of life ahead.
April 16, 2018 - This still has nice acidity to it, but the tannins have melted away. A nose of crushed cherry, some forest floor and baking spices with clear himts of cinnamon. There is also some black tea on the palate. Probably just a few years past its prime.
May 28, 2017 - Opaque, inky, youthful appearance. Not effusively aromatic but I got hints of dried fruit, tar, anise. Palate was dominated by sweet cherries with some dried herbs and black olives in the background. Velvety texture. Finish was long.