2003 brunello val di suga--presumably from VIgna Spuntali at Rome wine bar

Sweet oak nose, ruby color more than purple with a bit of brick age on the rim. blackberry and tar and smoke on nose and palate. after 20 minutes the nose opened and finish more complex, balanced and lengthy. soft tannin and plenty of acid for improvement and lasting, best drinking 2009=2015. 90+ points

with tom, gabriel, clay, inge on walk around center Rome

Parker: 91 points

The estate’s 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Spuntali is big, fat and juicy in its dark red fruit. The wine possesses lovely richness and depth. Naturally, because of the heat in 2003, the delineation and clarity of the finest vintages is missing, but the wine more than makes up for it with its accessible, generous personality. The 2003 Vigna Spuntali is one of the finer Brunellos of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.