In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter XIX

This post is the first in a series of two - a mini vertical of the Brunello´s from Fuligni. I will be tasting the 1985, 1988 Riserva, 1999 Riserva and the 2004 Riserva. First out is the two latter which I drank yesterday. They were so good that my head is a tad heavy today...

1999 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Fuligni
The nose is wide open, sweet and mature with gorgeous ripe cherries with a touch of vanilla, and notes of licorice, cold coffe, bonfire and blueberry bushes. With air a lovely meaty note emerges. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Really fine! Very open and yummy.
The taste is tight, intense and sandy with notes of ripe red and black cherries, dark chocolote, licorice and forest floor. Masses of rosehips in the long, fresh finish. The polished tannins are noticable at the end of the finish. This is a great drinking Brunello at this stage but will surely hold for 6+ years. Delicious wine.
92p   (tasted 2013/03)

2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Fuligni
A deep, pure, fantastic nose with lovely notes of sweet and sour cherries, violets, bonfire, meat stock and lots of rosehips. So young and charming. There is a touch of oak, but that just adds to the complexity. This is a star in the making.
The taste is intense, pure and very concentrated with the same sweet and sour cherries as on the nose with additional notes of violets, warm tiles, rose petals and a summer Tuscan gravel road. The finish goes on for over a minute. The tannins really makes their mark. This needs at least 6+ years to hit its plateau. Fantastic!
95p   (tasted 2013/03)

Now its time to open the 1985 and 1988 Riserva - will be back with a report tomorrow - stay tuned!