1998 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The 1998 Brunello di Montalcino, a success for the vintage, shows the classic dark garnet/ruby of Sangiovese, an ample sweet nose with abundant wild cherry and plum fruit and smoky, tarry accents. The silky textured flavors are firm and long and the elegance is matched by a certain depth and structure which indicates a good aging potential, until 2010 at least. My only reservations about this house is the number of wines, four in all, too many in terms of the acreage – I have some real doubts that a regular and Riserva bottling of the Brunello serve any real purpose. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Very light and neutral. Coasting. Light fruit. Quite dry tannins. (JR)
Full red-ruby. Attractive aromas of currant, cherry, licorice and mocha. Fairly dense and solidly built, with a rather stylish, restrained sweetness. The wine's sappy core of cherry, currant and licorice flavor is complicated but not at all overwhelmed by a faint herbal component. Finishes with ripe, tactile tannins and good persistence.