2005 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino

92 points James Suckling

A solid wine, with blueberry and toasted oak character. Full, with polished tannins and a long finish. The center palate needs to fill in now with bottle age. But there is plenty there. Not the 2004 but seriously good for the vintage. Give it a year or two more of bottle to fully realize the quality of this wine. (12/2010)

92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino is a pretty wine laced with generous, plummy red berries, flowers and spices. Medium in body, this approachable Brunello is commendable for its soft, forward fruit and refined finish. This is a relatively slender, lithe vintage, and the 2005 Brunello is best enjoyed on the young side. In 2005 the fruit is 60% Piancornello, in the southern part of Montalcino, and 40% Pelagrilli, next to the winery itself. The single-vineyard PS was not produced in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. (AG) (4/2010)

92 points Wine Enthusiast

Attractive aromas of black fruit, plum, coffee and cola emerge elegantly from the nose of this solid Brunello di Montalcino. Siro Pacenti is one of the area’s most historic estates and this expression offers endurance, persistency and silky tannins. (10/2010)

92 points Wine Spectator

Displays notes of blueberry and light toasty oak, with coffee bean undertones. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a gorgeous aftertaste of chocolate and dark berry. Hard not to drink this now. Best after 2011. (6/2010)

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright full red. Smoky and herbal aromas complicate sour red cherry and spicy plum on the nose Then sweeter and riper on the palate, with plum and dark cherry flavors intermingling with strong hints of tobacco, leather and dried herbs. Finishes very long, smooth and balanced. This serious Brunello will need a few years in the cellar. (7/2010)