Andrea Costanti is the heir to one of the great names of Montalcino, and I would accordingly like to see a bit more commitment and more inspired winemaking at this house, whose wines are solid, professional, but rarely inspired, efforts. The 1999 Brunello di Montalcino, a dark ruby-garnet, is appealingly expansive on the nose with all the right notes of red fruit, tar, and leather. The palate offers considerable intensity and length, but is somewhat austere and needs some additional sweetness and roundness. Drink: 2005-2015. Importer: Empson USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Not a big wine, but shows lovely aromas and flavors of roses, berries and cherries that follow through to a medium-bodied palate with fine tannins. Delicious. Very refined. Not quite as exciting as I hoped. Drink now. 2,400 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add