2004 Brunello di Montalcino, Selezione Gemini, La Serena, Tuscany

Such was the quality of the 2004 vintage that Andrea was gifted the opportunity of selecting the finest fruit from the 9 hectare estate to make a flagship wine: 'Gemini'. At this point I must confess to being wary of so-called 'flagship' wines, often disappointed by cynical nip and tuck wines in heavy 'bodices'. This one isn't and doesn't. Admittedly there's a touch more French oak: the wine spending 12 months in French barriques followed by 12 months in traditional 20 - 40 hectolitre slavonian botte. But there's evidently serious fruit beneath the sheen: the nose is focused and refined, with spicy red fruit Sangiovese purity, while the palate is moreishly svelte, sporting supple tannins and being deliciously bright too. Would benefit from more time in bottle, if you can resist. Drinking till 2016, along with a roast shoulder of lamb.
(David Berry Green, BBR Buyer)

This has apparently been their best vintage so far. Their production has grown quite a bit. In 2001, they bottled 2,500 barriques. In 2004 they bottled 7,000. A very dense crimson. Powerful aromas of coconut and chocolate - it puts me in mind of a fine Kentucky bourbon! It's big and rich, opulent even. The fruit is dark, sweet, and voluptuous, a chocolate marquise with black cherries and yet somehow refreshing on the end. Formidable, but plush tannins.
(Tamlyn Currin - jancisrobinson.com - 25 Mar 2010)