2002 was supposedly a total washout year. I don't know how it is Piccolomini turned out a Brunello anyway, but it was a nice surprise. I was under the impression that the 2002 vintage wouldn't age like other years, so I opened it in 2009.

As with any Brunello, it REALLY benefitted from aerating for an hour or two or more before consuming. At first taste, the wine was thin and astringent, but after aeration for a couple hours, layers of flavor opened up.

Lack of confidence in the vintage drove the price down I'm sure, so for those of us who can't afford the very best vintages of Brunello, this was a great way to test out what this wine is about. It is big and burly, good with something like a beef roast or stewed meat, maybe game if you've got it. With time aerating, the wine reveals lively acidity balanced with firm tannins. I haven't had the good fortune to try too many other Brunellos (just one), but there's no denying that the wine was delicious and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Absolutely delicious wine that paired well with an Italian dinner. Enticing aroma of spiced cherries. Smooth with a complex finish.