Antinori's 2003 Brunello di Montalcino Pian delle Vigne is a sleek, racy wine loaded with sweet dark fruit intermingled with delicate notes of tobacco and sweet toasted oak that flow from its soft-textured frame. The wine shows notable balance in this vintage, with well-integrated tannins and plenty of harmony. Ideally it might offer greater persistence and more varietal character, but this is still a very strong effort. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2015. Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA; tel. (425) 415-3738

Jammy fruit aromas, with plenty of wood. Full-bodied, with a jammy, light raisin and spice character and a long finish. Slightly one-dimensional. Made for early drinking. Best after 2008. 12,900 cases made.