2004 Tuscany Vintage

A long, cold winter and a rainy spring in Tuscany delayed budding and flowering. The summer was prolonged and warm, not hot, and an unusually hot October followed; together they brought the grapes to optimum ripeness. The harvest was delayed by 15 to 20 days, allowing for wonderful ripening and good development of flavour compounds. Like most Italian regions, Tuscany had an abundant vintage.

Writing for Wine Spectator in April 2009, James Suckling reported that just a few days after the 2004 harvest, Brunello di Montalcino producers were speaking of a fantastic vintage, and many compared it to 1997, a benchmark year in Tuscany. For the April 30, 2009 issue, more than 100 of the wines were blind-tasted and about 75 percent received scores of 90 or more points. In his view the vintage produced "wonderfully perfumed and majestically refined Brunellos with an excellent balance of fruit and refined tannins." He wrote that many were beautiful to drink now but would be even better with two or three more years of bottle age, and should improve for decades.

• Producers compared 2004 with 1997 a few days after the harvest
• More than 100 wines blind-tasted; about 75 percent scored 90 points or more (April 2009)

Decanter rates the vintage 4 out of 5, marks it keep and sums it up as concentrated wines of complexity and length with significant aging potential. It names Chianti and Montepulciano as the best appellations. The conditions produced excellent fruit, which better producers will transform into stellar wine. Tuscan producer Lamberto Frescobaldi told Decanter: '2004 is a vintage characterised by deep, dark must with bright tonality, outstanding aromas, depth and length.'

• Rating: 4 out of 5, marked 'keep'
• Best appellations: Chianti and Montepulciano