Opened and poured immediately. Dark garnet/ruby colour. Aromas of cherry, sottobosco, currant, plum, strawberry, and a hint of peach. Medium-full bodied, with replays from nose, violets, and roses. Long finish, 40+s, with red fruit. Outstanding, and will only improve with cellaring. 94+ points (06/03/2006).

Excellent, we just ordered some.

How much does this go for?

Premiere Cru has it pre-arrival for $55 I think. Regular price is usually more like 75-80 I think. MLV does the buying so she would no better than me.

When Futronic speaks, people listen. This is one of his highest scored wines.

I definitely listen to this guy - I just had the 2004 Rosso last night (tight as a drum, but the precision is there). I'll probably pick up some 2001 Brunellos too.

At $55USD, it's a strong buy. I purchased it at the winery for 35 Euro. Elsewhere in Montalcino it was around 40. If you do the exchange, that's a great price. I bought six, and the wine is so good I may buy a few more at a much higher price when it comes available in Ontario later this year (probably around $80CAD).

This and the Costanti were the best 2001s I had during my trip, with the Altesino Montosoli a step behind. The Montosoli just didn't evoke the same emotion that the formers did.

Note that this wine was a pop and pour, so if I had the opportunity to do the same "taste the rest 8 hours after opening (without decanting)" as the Costanti, this likely would have been even better, and put on a little weight in the glass.

I had a few Barolos that were higher up the charts for me during the trip (those notes are to come), but you will not regret buying this wine.

Having tasted Italian wines with you on a couple of occasions I think your recommendations are usually good ones. I have a source and am going to buy some tomorrow. How long would you hold this before trying the first one (other than the sacrificial bottle)?

Thanks!

I would sacrifice one immediately before it shuts down (pour a half glass out, and then recork for 6-8 hours - don't decant, maybe taste along the way if you like), then wait until between 2009 and 2011 for the next bottle.

Thanks for the good notes.

Futronic - Tanzer agrees with you on this wine at 94 points.

FYI - He roasted Altesino and Valdicava a bit in his recent 01 Brunello report.

Well, I don't know many people that wouldn't agree with the outright quality of this wine.

I'll have to check out Tanzer's report and read the rest of his comments. I'm interested in his panning of Altesino.

Opened a bottle of it last week, and I consumed it over three days - and it is shut down. Initial impressions show great potential of with structured, yet perfumed fruits, but it closed down pretty hard within the evening. Didn't really let up over the next two days, so it's stacked deep in the cellar for the forseeable future.

Too bad, but not surprising. It really is a lovely bottle of wine.

I would imagine that other 2001s will shut down over the next 4-6 months, if they haven't already, and shouldn't be touched for another 3-4 years at a minimum (preferably 5-6, or more).

Futronic and Jaimetown are right that this one might be shutting down. No question from me about the quality on this one. Thanks for the reco as I bought them before the pro ratings came out.

• 2001 E. Fuligni (Cottimelli) Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino (10/22/2006)
  
  Last night's bottle 90-91 points; Sacrificed for the team but it made an impression with good balance and focus. It had lots of cherry, strawberry and violet aromas and flavors with a core of minerality. This one seems like a long-term wine to me so the remainder of the bottles are in deep storage. A wine to have and hold.

Posted from CellarTracker

*Z-snap* Oh no you didn't!

Lol. Glad you were able to get a taste before it completely shut down.

LOL, I guess curiousity got the better of you too!

Yes, what can I say but WTH.

I bought a few bottles of this wine as well as the Montisoli and Tuneto Neavo (sp) - my only purchased 01 Brunellos - all at great prices considering the expected quality (why I bought these - relatively affordable - and from prior vintage experiences)...couldn't imagine drinking any anytime soon (in fact not sure the Fulgni has even been delivered yet). I think I paid about $55 a bottle. Still your various notes here are highly encouraging - thanks!