This small American-owned estate is located just outside the town of Montalcino. The vineyards here are fairly high for the region, which helps give this Brunello a lot of its finesse. The style is decidedly modern in its interpretation. Il Palazzone’s tasty 2001 Brunello di Montalcino is redolent of spice, sweet toasted oak and super-ripe dark fruit flavors. It offers excellent length and notable finesse in a decidedly contemporary, accessible style. A few years of bottle age will be helpful in softening the wine’s oak tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2019. Importer: Domaine Select, New York, NY; tel. (212) 279-0799

Aromas of Indian spices, berry and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate with ultrarefined tannins and a long, long finish. Best after 2006. 450 cases made, 250 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

This wine nails that difficult spot between finesse and power. Cranberry and cherry, leather, tobacco, earth, herbs, rose petal and mineral or graphite add texture and complexity. A silky wine with a medium structure from a winery owned by AOL Time Warner chief executive Dick Parsons. Imported by DSI.——W.E.(4/1/2006)—— 92