What is "dumb phase"?

[wineguruchgo]

Ok - here's my best shot at explaining "dumb".

After a few years the tannin structure will begin to break down in a wine. When the wine is young the tannins are distinguishable and the fruit is pleasant. When the tannins start to break down they aren't there anymore and eventually you will be left with just fruit.

Sounds to me like you were smack dab in the middle of this process.

I had it a few years ago with a 95 brunello. There was nothing there. We just opened the same bottle recently and it was wonderful.

The way that I judge a bottle without opening it is I look at spectator and their suggestions for length in bottle. If they tell me I can hold the bottle until 2008, I will not open it before 2007.

It's not a perfect system but it has worked for me up until now.

Drink it early or late. Skip the middle.