6/01. Bought at auction, Feb-00, for $100.
I have twice tasted the Riserva version of this wine. Both cases were among the greatest Brunello I ever tasted. Tonight's wine was the non-Riserva rendition. In general, I've had mixed experience with Riserva vs. non-Riserva Brunellos. Sometimes the former were better, while in other cases the Riserva turned to be too woody and a bit dried up. Go figure...
COLOR: Darkish red with some clearing around the rim.
NOSE: Pretty weak nose that all but disappears after a few minutes in the glass. Very nice and flowery pleasant while it lasts, though really disappointing in its lack of intensity.
TASTE: No complaints in this department. Smooth, winey with excellent fruit and complex flavors. Beautifully harmonious on the palate, with soft receding tannins and nice refreshing acidity. A rare case where the taste is much better than the nose.
LENGTH: Medium long and very pleasant aftertaste, with no hints of dryness.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: Medium bodied wine that is completely mature, at or around its peak. Velvety textured juice immensely tasty and wonderfully harmonious. Perfectly balanced too.
OVERALL: Very fine. Perhaps I am a bit too harsh 'demoting' it, but I can't mark a wine with hardly any nose higher than that...

MARK: 18/20.

BUY MORE? Yes.

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Jacob "Yak" Shaya.