2001 was a fine year for Brunello di Montalcino, I discovered this year at Benvenuto Brunello, the annual vintage presentation.
The wines display considerable power and grace, but are at the same time quite approachable. As a result, they will drink well now, though if you have the patience to give them a few more years in your cellar, they will richly reward you. Here are some of the wines that most impressed me.
Almandine with dark brown reflections. The bouquet is delicate, with fairly acidic, slightly balsamic red berry fruit supported by green leather and dry underbrush. Quite traditional. On the palate it's bright and rich, with powerful cherry fruit supported by deft cherry acidity, and by clean sweet tannins that flow into a long cherry laced finish. Beautiful in a traditional key, with the fruit carrying the show while acidity keeps it lively and interesting. Well worth seeking out.
92
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is elegant, with rich red berry fruit supported by berry fruit jam and hints of polished leather, with underlying peppery spice, pencil shavings, and some citric acidity. A lot going on. On the palate it's rich, with powerful red berry fruit that gains direction from pleasing bitter acidity, while the tannins are rich, and still a little young; though nice it will improve markedly with time.
90
Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is elegant, in a mature key, with polished leather mingled with leaf tobacco and slight balsamic notes supported by some cedar, and hints of dried plum. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful slightly balsamic cherry plum fruit that gains direction from deft berry mineral-berry fruit acidity, and is supported by broad sweet smooth tannins that flow into a long clean slightly sour berry fruit finish. Great finesse.
90
Fairly deep black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is deft, with powerful slightly sour red berry fruit supported by clean spice from grapes and by some leaf tobacco and hints of dried flowers. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful slightly sour cherry fruit supported by deft red currant acidity, and by tannins that are clean, and still quite young; it's quite elegant in a traditional key, and still climbing. Give it time.
88-90
Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is a bit wild, with chopped raw game mingling with leather and some leaf tobacco, supported by alcohol and underbrush. Mature, in a traditional key. On the palate it's full, with ample slightly sour cherry fruit that gains direction from mineral acidity, and is supported by ample smooth sweet tannins that flow into a long clean berry fruit finish with definition from brambly bitterness. Worth seeking out if you like this style.
88-90
Fairly deep black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is powerful, with mentholated berry fruit jam mingled with cedar, peppery spice, and underlying ripe red berries; it's refreshing in a decidedly modern key. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful red berry fruit -- a mix of cherries and some red currant acidity -- supported by clean smooth tannins that lead into a fairly long bright berry fruit finish. If you like this style you will like it very much.
88-90
Delicate almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is elegant, with a pleasing mixture of green leather, leaf tobacco, spice, and some dried flowers mingled with a fair amount of acidity and slightly dried red berry fruit, with underlying vinous warmth. On the palate it's full, with delicate slightly leathery cherry fruit supported by brisk mineral acidity and by full smooth tannins that are still young, and lay down delicate peppery burr that continues into a warm berry fruit finish.
88-90
Black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is elegant, with delicate red berry fruit, slightly sour cherries supported by dried flowers and some sea salt, while moderate acidity provides backbone. On the palate it's full, and graceful in a fairly traditional key, with delicate slightly sour cherry fruit directed by lemony acidity and supported by smooth sweet Sangiovese tannins that flow into a fairly long, slightly bitter berry fruit finish. It will reward patience.
88
Deep almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is moderately intense, with slightly sour red berry fruit supported by cedar and vinous warmth, and some nutmeg. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful red berry fruit -- cherries with some red currant acidity to perk them up -- supported by clean smooth tannins that still have a perky youthful feel to them, and flow into a long clean berry fruit finish with tannic underpinning. It's frankly young, and quite appealing.
88
Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is fairly rich, with powerful jammy cherry and forest berry fruit supported by greenish cedar and warm peppery spice. Nice balance in a modern key. On the palate it's full, with bright cherry and black currant fruit that gains direction from brisk black currant acidity and support from lively, zesty tannins that have a sweet peppery burr, and flow into a fairly long finish with berry fruit sweetness balanced by vanilla bitterness.
88
