1999 Bellini Brunello di Montalcino

[hotwine]

Yeah, yeah, I know, popped it 'way too soon, but couldn't keep my mitts off of it. Nose finally shows after an hour but the juice is sound asleep. I mean REALLY sound asleep. Gorgeous color, so it's like the light's on and no one's home. Sure hope I'm still around when this comes around in about 2014. 13% alc/vol and $26 for my lesson in patience.

[hotwine]

So much for patience. Had to try another tonight with simple angel-hair pasta and meat sauce with lots of fresh garlic. My my, she has at least one eye open.... trying to wake up. A whole lot of promise there with a nice bed of fruit, soft as can be. Well worth the trouble to seek out. Should only get better.

[TheEngineer]

What's that saying...umm... Better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all! ....errr....though I hope you still have a few bottles around to open in 2014.

[wondersofwine]

I tried a Frescobaldi Brunello at a Charlotte wine event in 2004 that was very drinkable at four or five years after harvest. It may have been deliberately vinified to mature sooner than the traditional Brunello but it makes it difficult to say when they would be at their peak.