There is so much ripe fruit here with a decadent richness that is just crazy. Verges on raisins but it goes instead to pure fruit. Very full and velvety with a long finish. I love this.

Dark color with intense blackberry, chocolate and lightly toasted oak. Full-bodied and ultravelvety, with caressing tannins. Vanilla, chocolate and berry. Goes on for minutes. Best after 2010. 4,830 cases made. (James Suckling)

The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova has a dark and brooding shade of deep garnet. It bursts from the glass with a mature, sweetly-scented bouquet of crushed plums and blueberries complemented by balsamic tones, smoke and worn leather. It takes a turn toward elegance on the palate with ripe, citrus-tinged wild berry fruits and purple inner florals. It seems almost creamy in texture but well-balanced by vibrant acidity. Seamlessly smooth and harmonious, this finishes long with nuances of residual tannins under an air of warming autumnal spice and inner earth tones. The 2001 Tenuta Nuova has peaked, yet well-stored bottles should be in no fear of decline. Sampled from the winery's cellar.

The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is an interesting proposition. Either the wine has not fully opened, or perhaps it remains stuck in a shy or reticent phase. There is so much brooding dark fruit, right there at an arm's distance that, seemingly wants to bubble to the top. For whatever reason, it remains stuck at the back. Maybe it needs more time? The wine flaunts deep concentration and an inky dark appearance. The bouquet is all about those dark fruit tones with blackberry pie, black spice, tar, licorice and smoke. Mineral notes and campfire ash appear on the dusty, polished finish.

The 2001 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is Neri’s modern-styled Brunello. It is made from vines planted in the southern part of the zone and aged in small oak barrels. It displays a darker, almost saturated color and notable concentration with masses of sweet dark fruit, smoke and licorice flavors that flow onto the palate with exceptional length and balance in a powerful, brooding style. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. (Antonio Galloni)