2001 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino

[hotwine]

Pre-flighting a youngster before deciding to buy more. Decanted for two hours before dinner of eggplant parmesan. Very dark in the glass, opaque, deep red shows up at the rim. Subtle nose of dark fruit, tar, pipe tobacco... red fruit joins on the tongue-tip with a bit of old oak undertone, yet very soft, almost Merlot-like. Long finish, fruits still evident, very pleasant. WS91, 13.5% alc/vol and about $30. I'll buy more.

Eggplant was garden-fresh from a friend's place 30 miles south. Hope he can provide a bushel!