Sandro Chia is an avant garde artist turned Brunello producer.  Now, I don’t follow art, but if his career as a painter fails, he can rest assured that his winemaking abilities will provide for him. 
Chia includes reproductions of his originals on the labels of his Brunello, from the estate Castello di Romitorio. I recently had  the 2004 Castello di Romitorio Brunello over a lovely meal that featured, East Coast Oysters on the half shell, and short ribs over risotto.  The pairings were amazing.  Even the briny characters of the oysters seemed to bring out the flavor in the wine. 
The 2004 Romitorio Brunello is not to be missed.  With all the hype surrounding the 2006 Brunellos, the 2004’s are a vintage that is almost as good, and easily found at retail.  The Romitorio is dark, crimson red and offers a generous nose of crushed raspberry, cherry, licorice and pipe tobacco. On the palate the wine is concentrated, and more elegant than powerful.  Flavors follow the scents of the nose, with persistency. Slightly chewy tannins are present on the finish suggesting that a few more years in the cellar will reward the patient drinker.  Still, it’s hard not to drink this now.  A solid effort, and a cool looking label.  93 points.



2004 Castello di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino



Closer look at the 2004 Label
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