2004 - Brunello di Montalcino, Argiano

The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino smolders with an earthen bouquet, mixing flowery underbrush, ashen stones, cedar spice box and dried wild berries. It's lively within, juicy and fruit-focused, leaning toward ripeness with a salty core of minerality that balances the experience nicely. The finish is a bit short yet clean and resolved, leaving hints of balsamic spice and a pleasant chewiness that lingers. This is in a pretty place today, though its downslope journey is right around the corner. It's important to note that the 2004 was made in a very different style than Argiano favors today, with an approach that relied more on new oak and small barrels.