Joanne Franzel

9.0

Color not too purply and good acidity. Rustic. Earthy enough for me. Actually had with osso buco. Leathery and bitter. Very happy with this bottle. — 7 months ago

Thomas McKee

9.5

Back at the La Bandita Townhouse after 8 years. Still a fantastic place to stay or have dinner. The food and service is top notch and they specialize in Brunello. Tonight we had the the Chianina beef tartare, Osso Buco ravioli, ribeye steak and lamb chops. This wine was a spectacular match, so smooth and rich it was perfect on every level — 2 years ago

Matti Jokelainen

9.1

Had 2 of these right after release and now first one after about a year in between. This is still young, primary and tight just as you expect but the density of fruit, pedigree and power is more evident. Nice nose full of cherry, raspberry and strawberry complemented by wiff of smoke. On palate the tannins and acidity is prominent but in line with the fruit. This is enjoyable with food (had this with osso buco) and best as pop and pour. On 2nd day it is more turned itself. Remains to be seen if this closes down completely in near fjture or not. But definitely worth all the praise from the press. I need to add few mafs to my stash for the long haul — 3 years ago

Tom Elliot

Founder Northwest Wines

9.3

Still fresh and great with Osso Buco. — 9 months ago

Marcio Morelli

9.2

Osso Restaurante — 2 years ago

Daniele Cuzin

9.0

Enjoyed it paired with osso bucco — 3 years ago

Matthew Malone

9.5

2003 with a beautiful Osso Buco — 4 years ago

Ronald LaMascus

9.3

Definitely worth the wait! Some folks said this vintage was at its peak several years ago but my patience is being rewarded!! Again, the cork was unbelievably tight but with perseverance a good waiters friend, finally wrestled it out without breaking. This wine definitely needs some air and time to settle down and get the full flavor and taste restored. I can taste parmigiana regganio, bruschetta, high grade EVOO and balsamic with a crusty bread. Veal and tomato sauce, even Osso Buco. I love Brunello and while this is not considered a top iteration, it’s still definitely worth drinking. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Served double-blind. Deep, glass staining ruby red with an utterly opaque core. On the nose, decadent, sightly confected, red fruits...almost red rope licorice like...mixed with spiced dark fruits (plums and currants) and cocoa. The palate is more dark fruited with semi-sweet chocolate chips…the ones made with the natural vanilla, and some coffee but there is good acid and the tannins, which are quite fine, are also quite sneaky. Long, satisfying finish. This comes across as a fairly extracted wine and I wondered if there as some residual sugar, possibly some appassimento?? I was totally stumped. Revealed to be this blend of Nerello Cappuccio and Gaglioppo; the latter I had zero experience with but, apparently, related to Sangiovese. This is a wine of intense concentration and proved to be most enjoyable on Day 3 once everything became a bit more integrated. I don’t have a whole lot of experience with Calabrian wines so I’m unsure if this is truly representative or an outlier. I’m intrigued and I think that the quality is certainly there. Paired very well on Day 1 with Osso Bucco and saffron risotto. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Dark but clear red. Wonderfully inviting nose of black cherry and balsam. Medium full body with a nose-marching palate of black cherry and other dark fruits, balsam, patent leather, and anise herb (in that order). Medium acidity. Medium plus, velvety tannins. This is a fully Italian take on the Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) that calls out for food (medium to light cuts of beef would be great… Osso bucco?), but would fare just as well by the glass. Drink now through 2028. — 4 years ago