The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino is a dense, deeply-colored offering loaded with sweet blue and black fruits. It is a dark, brooding expression of Brunello that shows a wild, unrestrained personality, particularly in the wine's somewhat rough around the edges tannins. Neri makes this Brunello from his family's original holdings located around the estate. The wine is aged in cask. This regular bottling Brunello di Montalcino is not imported in the US and may not be available in all markets although I had no problem finding the wine in New York. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. Properietor Giacomo Neri is excited about the 2003 vintage, which he believes has more potential than critics of the vintage have suggested, although he does think the wines are best suited to near- to mid-term consumption. Among recent vintages Neri cites 2004 and 2006 as those with the most potential. Still, at this level, it is truly the seriousness of the estate that prevails over vintage differences in determining the overall quality of the wines, as readers will be able to judge from these outstanding new releases. Importer: Dalla Terra, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-5405