Brunello is one of the great Italian wines, and is also located in Tuscany. It too is made from sangiovese, although it’s a different clone from the sangiovese grape used in Chianti. 2001 was a stunning year for Tuscany. Immediately many perceived the musky cardboard smell in this wine.
Unfortunately this wine was lightly corked, but aside from that fault, still possessed some great strengths.

It also had big aromas of ripe cherry, mocha, dry spice, and foresty notes, as well as flavors of candied cherry, sweet leather, and truffles. The long finish, sweet red fruit core, and mineral character made me want to try this wine again. I didn’t pick up any overtly oaked flavors despite the three years in barrel!
This wine handled the oak aging very well. I scored this wine as if I could magically wipe out the cork fault: 92-93
Wine & Spirits: 94 WE: 91
WS: 91
$55