2003 Sesta di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Soft-textured and powerful at the same time, Sesta di Sopra’s 2003 Brunello di Montalcino gives the impression it is still holding back much of its potential. Dark fruit, earthiness, licorice, toasted oak, tar and spices all open in the glass as this intense wine gradually shows its pure breed. Like many wines from the southern part of the zone, it comes across as a wine that is best enjoyed on the young side but it is sure to provide much pleasure over the next few years. This is a terrific effort from Sesta di Sopra. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015." " Sesta di Sopra is a micro winery - the entire production fits into one 30-hectoliter barrel, only 333 cases. They have an exquisite position on the south slope of Montalcino up above the Orcia River Valley in a vineyard planted on a Galestro (exfoliating shale) slope looking to the southwest. Whenever I smell and taste their wine I always think of purity - in regards to the soil and lack of human interference with the wine. These grapes are tended lovingly, carefully, more like a backyard garden then a vineyard, and the results are breathtaking. This wine is classic with none of the modern influences that barrique add to wine. Yet because of its superb position and warmth of the vineyard, the fruit's perfect ripeness gives the wine palate weight, richness and a balance rarely seen in Montalcino or even Tuscany.