2001 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino

The estate's medium-bodied 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump, juicy effort displaying attractive super-ripe dark fruit and toasted oak flavors with good concentration, length and balance. Though well-made, this Brunello shows very little soul or personality. It is a simple, accessible wine to enjoy now and over the next ten or so years. Anticipated maturity

Red-ruby. Brooding aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, mocha and sweet underbrush; in a rather modern style. Ripe and fine-grained in the mouth, with firm acids giving shape to the chunky dark fruit flavors. Not at all overly sweet. Finishes with very good breadth, substantial tongue-dusting tannins and late mineral and leather notes. Still a bit ungiving, but this needs time.

Notably deep colour. Deep, quite intriguing velvety nose that’s a bit more like modern red wine than Brunello but that needn’t matter if the results are good. Very sweet, well crafted, soft finish with more than one eye on the mouthfeel. A bit odd in the company of a host of more authentic Brunellos but it will undoubtedly give pleasure – on export markets at the very least. (JR)