2004 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2010 The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli emerges from the glass with masses of scorched earth, leather, tar, licorice, menthol and dark fruit. The Riserva shows a touch more inner sweetness, richness and depth in its fruit than the regular bottling, plus a bit more French oak as well. For now, the Riserva is quite reticent and requires air, but with time its awesome richness and power come through in spades. This dark, brooding and authoritative Riserva from Il Poggione is simply gorgeous. Readers who don’t want to pay the premium for the Riserva in 2004 need not worry; I tasted the 2004 regular bottling (twice!) while preparing this article and it is every bit as promising as my review last year suggested. In 2004 the Paganelli vineyard was harvested on the 13th of October, quite late for this estate. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. 96 points

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, July 2010
Good deep red. Sexy nose offers raspberry, spices, dried rose, cassis and minerals; reminded me of a top Pauillac. Then suave, complex and energetic in the mouth, offering wonderful precision to the intense red fruit, tobacco and floral flavors. Finishes long and vibrant, combining impeccable balance, enticing sweetness and firm, smooth tannins. This monumental Brunello will age for a long time. 95 points.