2004 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino (Pre-Arrival)

95 points Robert Parker: "This finessed, regal Brunello flows onto the palate with seamless layers of perfumed fruit framed by silky, finessed tannins. The wine remains extremely primary at this stage, and its full range of aromas and flavors have yet to emerge, but the sheer pedigree of this Brunello is unmistakable. The elegant, refined finish lasts an eternity, and subtle notes of menthol, spices, licorice and leather add final notes of complexity." (06/09) 93 points Stephen Tanzer: "Good deep red. Sexy nose offers raspberry, spices, coconut, dried flowers, tobacco and potpourri: almost Lafite-like. Then suave, complex and energetic in the mouth, offering lovely vinosity to the sappy red fruit and floral flavors. Finishes long and vibrant,combining enticing sweetness and firm, saline *****5 Stars Greg St.Clair K&L's Italian Buyer "This wine is just delicious: sweet, plummy fruit, extraordinary balance, a long, long finish that is filled with intrigue. Yet, as immediately drinkable and friendly this wine is, there is an underlying complexity, power and intellectual boldness that one doesn’t get upon first taste. This is a wine of power, structure, focus and a long life. Its simplicity is sort of like the smile of the Dalai Lama, it seems so pleasant and easy, yet if you gaze into it, you fall into the depths of the world, unfathomable profundity and then you begin to see how incredibly this simple plummy fruit has transformed itself into an extraordinarily complex wine."