2004 Brunello di Montalcino results

This past Tuesday, at our largest tasting of the year, the members and guests of the Toronto Vintners club were treated with the opportunity to taste some fantastic Brunello's.  All but one of wines poured were rated 90 points or higher.

Our speaker for the evening was Ben Hodson from Trialto.  He was kind enough to provide us with our reception wine for the evening, a delicious 2010 Argiano Rosso di Montalcino.  Before jumping into the tasting, Ben gave us a quick rundown of the region.  Brunello di Montalcino is the youngest, hottest, and dryest of the famous wine regions of Italy.  The wines that it produces are made up by 100% sangiovese and can produce wines that can age for 20-30 years.

The groups favourite wine of the night was the 2004 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino - $69.  Ben described this wine as having a very youthful nose with lots of great fruit.  It had strong notes of dark fruit and strong minerality .  It possessed good tannins that were in perfect balance with the wines acidity.  Ben ranked this as his second favourite wine of the night.

Our guest speakers top wine of the tasting was the 2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino - $63.  This wine had a classic Brunello nose and a classic Brunello palate. It had lots of cherry up front and a great herbal/earthy note.

Name of Wine (in order poured)	Group Ranking	Guest Ranking
A - 2004 Rendola Brunello di Montalcino	5	3
B - 2004 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli	8	7
C - 2004 La Velona Brunello di Montalcino	2	8
D - 2004 Ciacci Piccolomini D’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino	6	5
E - 2004 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino	1	2
F - 2004 Verbena Brunello di Montalcino	4	6
G - 2004 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino	7	1
H - 2004 Poggio San Polo Brunello di Montalcino	3	4