quote:

Originally posted by Vt2It:
I tasted the Altesino normale at the winery, and while not outstanding it was not anywhere near a 78 to me, more like an 88. A nice wine with no burnt rubber smell, just a bit too thin to be great. I've got to think something was wrong with the bottles that LB had as we usually have pretty similar tastes.

Agreed. I tasted the 04 Montosoli at Altesino and it was really nice with no burnt rubber. I think we all talked about this that night at dinner. Hoping LB just had some bad bottles as I bought some Montosoli!

A bit late, and a lot has been said already.
I largely concur LB's list. Perhaps only the Sesta di Sopra is better than 92pts IMO. But I've had this several times when it had more time to breath/slow-ox. That makes a big difference for some of the '04 BdM. This also shown by the experience with the CdN Tenuta Nuova.

I've tasted some 30 different Brunelli of this vintage. These are some of my general observations on this vintage (very personal of course, I'm not a professional):

• The better wines all have an aromatic, floral, component to them that is more pronounced than any other Brunello vintage I've tasted extensively.
  
• Most wines need a lot of air/time to show their potential. Much more so than most recent vintages on release.
  
• I often found the overall profile has more red fruit and floral aromas instead of the classic black fruit/leather focus.
  
• tannins are mostly refined and ripe with the better ones layered and dusty. Not as chewy and robust as for example the '99 and '01 vintages. But still providing enough structure to make the wines age worthy.
  
• Many '04 Brunelli where just not very exciting, and definitely not worth the price tag. But there are some beautiful, characterful and delicate wines among them that are almost cheap compared to top wines from other regions.

My two top wines for this vintage are:
- Querce Bettina
- CdN Tenuta Nuova
(Not having tasted the Ucelliera and Soldera from LB's list)

Some consistent performers that IMO produced an excellent '04 BdM are:
- Fuligni
- Sesta di Sopra
- Lisini

The biggest surprise to me where:
- Piancornello
- Poggio il Castellare
Both are very good Brunelli (both 93pts in my book) at an excellent price level. And I have never had them before!

And what's up with the Altesino BdM? I don't know. After I had the regular Brunello I was very disappointed by it (I rated it 'FLAW'). The Montosoli showed the same burnt rubber component, but at a much lower level. Underneath was a solid Brunello.

I would always suggest to taste before buy. That's how I always try to do it. This year I have not followed this strategy for one wine: Valdicava. I just ordered some pre-release. And I still havn't tasted it to date. Was this a stupid move?

The only 04BdM currently available here is Il Poggione. I noticed JS gave it a 91 but it earned a WA 95. Anyone here get a chance to try it yet?

These are my notes on the Il Poggione:

• 2004 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (5/16/2009)
  Montalcino trip / Italian offline 2009; 14-5-2009-16-5-2009 (Montalcino): Light ruby colour. Aromas of ripe dark fruit with some floral and spicy hints. Full bodied with chewy tannins and fresh acidity. Long finish.
  Still very closed, needs more time. Drink 2012 - 2019. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

I remember that it was extremely tight. But the body and structure where quite promising. Initially I didn't buy. But I found some bottles at EUR 22 and decided to take the chance.
Bottomline: its a matter of pricing. This is at least a good Brunello, perhaps a very good one. Time will tell.

Jochems, do you know what the price point is for the Querce Bettina? Their production seems to be small and possibly just available in Montalcino. I will be in Montalcino in a couple of weeks so I imagine I should be able to find a few bottle to bring back! Thanks

Thanks Jochems!

So far for me it is Fuligni, Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova. Siro Pacenti and Uccellera. I have heard mixed review on the Frescobaldi. I am also considering San Fillippo.

De Duke,
The Querce Bettina sells around EUR 47,50 in Montalcino.

Big and Red,
If you consider the Fanti, then you should definitely try to taste it first. When I tasted it, there was no clue what so ever that it could be a Brunello. It was one of the purest strawberry aroma's I've ever smelled in a red wine. Not my cup of tea (or Brunello for that matter). It might be yours. I wrote down 88pts. Didn't even take the effort of putting it up in CT. I've only tasted it once. Apparently JS had a completely different experience with this wine. Hence the advise to taste for yourself.

Jochems, thanks for the advice. If I get a chance to taste the Fanti I will post notes.