Sori San Lorenzo Gaja 2004 (1.5L)

98 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2004 Sori San Lorenzo is a drop-dead gorgeous wine. It presents awesome balance, especially in the way it marries power with elegance. This is a remarkably refined and understated Sori San Lorenzo, with never-ending layers of dark raspberries, licorice, grilled herbs and tar that flow from its sumptuous frame. A dark, brooding beauty, it will require several additional years of bottle at a minimum, but those with the patience to wait will be amply rewarded. In most vintages I prefer the Sori Tildin, but in 2004 Sori San Lorenzo has a very slight edge over its sibling. It may very well be the finest Sori San Lorenzo since the legendary 1971. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029."

98 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "The 2004 Sori San Lorenzo is incredibly sensual and layered in this vintage, almost uncharacteristically so. With time in the glass, some of the more typical brooding notes emerge. Hints of smoke, hard candy, black cherry, herbs, graphite and French oak meld together effortlessly. In 2004, the interplay of the finesse of the vintage and the more powerful, virile expression of Nebbiolo that emerges from this site is simply dazzling. The 2004 remains a distinctly finessed Sori San Lorenzo with a very bright future. The vivid, nuanced finish is so inviting, it's hard to move on to the next wine."

96 Points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous: "Bright red-ruby. Multifaceted nose offers raspberry, cherry, truffle and dried flowers. Sweet and plush but lively, with perfectly integrated acidity giving the wine a penetrating character and suave oak remaining in the background. The pristine red fruit flavors show superb definition and grip, not to mention uncanny inner-mouth energy. Finishes with broad, suave, palate-saturating tannins and lovely perfumed lift."