Really good Brunello from a great vintage.

Still young but already starting to brick around the edges. Great nose, herbal, dense dark fruit, earthy/woodsy, anise....so nice.

Medium-full bodied, good extraction, perfect density of fruit and tannin to match. Lot's going on and very well balanced. Long finish.

Surprisingly drinkable right now, but this really should spend at least 3 more years in the bottle (depending on your taste) and last many more after that.

The 2004 La Velona, made up of 100% Sangiovese that has been aged in Slovenia oak for more than 3 years, is medium bodied with nice aromas of integrated black fruit, thyme, cedar and liquorice (funny that no matter how I tried, I could not pinpoint which black fruit may add to the complexity - seems that other reviewers had similar problems). Tannins are refined to tannic (decant for more than 1 hour to allow the wine to fully open) and the finish is long and smooth. This wine will be at its best from 2012 to 2016 and beyond. My impression: BEAUTIFUL, 91 pts - tasted Oct/10.

If you would like to see wines I recommend and that are still available at the LCBO, please visit this link (listed in my profile):

http://www.winealign.com/wino/dantrcka/recomended-wines-you-can-still-buy

A stained dark ruby colour and a nice fruity nose. Full body up front but falls off during the finish. Tannins abound but are not overbearing. Being a fan of fruit forward, full-bodied powerhouses, I normally stay away from sangiovese-based wines but this offering has convinced me to enjoy some more Brunellos.