Top Rated 2004 Piedmont Reds

While the peak summer months were not special in Barolo and Barbaresco in 2004, conditions in the Piedmont were generally better than in France. And, unlike in most of France, growers here were able to take full advantage of beautiful weather in September and much of October, during which warm days and cool nights allowed for slow and even ripening of the grapes. They brought in their grapes in a leisurely fashion, the fruit showing full phenolic ripeness, impressive density of material, and bright acidity. However, it was a very large crop, with large berries, so green pruning and cluster thinning were essential to making concentrated wines. The better 2004s are scented and elegant, and at the same time structured and strong. They show many stylistic similarities to the 2001s, another warm season that benefited from fine conditions before and during the harvest.