Casanova di Neri, Brunello Montalcino Vintage:2004 35% whole clusters)

35% whole clusters)

There's a dusty or earthy quality as well with crushed stone and mineral

Already disarmingly pleasurable to drink

I had the opportunity to taste verticals of 2 of La Rioja Altas wines

12% Cabernet Franc

Casanova di Neri, Brunello Montalcino Vintage:2004 35% whole clusters)Time has not been kind to the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino. Leather, mushrooms, smoke, cedar, licorice, dried cherry iron all signs of a fully mature wine are front and center. Although there is plenty of depth and richness to the fruit, the 2004 has not aged well, especially in its aromatics. There is little finesse or elegance at all to speak of. Both bottles I tasted, one at the winery and one from my cellar, were disappointing. Granted, this is the