Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2004

During the month of Montalcino, the Vinifera guys and I have a lot of incredible wines in our bag of samples. This week I had a bottle of the 2004 Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino with me. Castello Romitorio is an estate owned by the famous artist Sandra Chia. Sandro was in NY painting a mural in the early 1980′s when he received a call from a friend in Italy. The wonderful estate in Montalcino was for sale, and Sandro immediately flew back to Italy to make the purchase.

After some renovations to the castle and some planting of vineyards, Castello Romitorio was transformed. Since 1986, Castello Romitorio has been producing world-class Tuscan wine. To supplement his passion, Sandro Chia enlisted the help of Carlo Ferrini, one of (if not THE) top oenologist in Tuscany.

The wine in question today is the Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2004. The wines of Castello Romitorio tend to be much more ‘new world’ compared to many of their neighbors in Montalcino. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in lightly toasted French oak barrels. The wine is then transfered to large Slovenian oak casks for an additional 14 months.

Already eight years past vintage, the Romitorio Brunello 2004 still shows like a very young wine. Deep and dark color is more rich and clean looking than most wine half its age. Bright and full aromas of dark berries jump from the glass immediately. On the palate the Romitorio Brunello is so incredibly rich yet smooth, I’m having a hard time putting it into words. Throughout the day the wine develops into a softer, more delicate wine, and starts to show a little bit of its age after a few hours.

But I’m not the only one that loves the Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2004. The wine was awarded 93pts from Wine Spectator, 93pts Wine Enthusiast, and 92pts Robert Parker.

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2004
TCSH Rating – 9.5/10
Aka – Out of this world!

Eli
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