Black cherries, lavender, black mushrooms, lead pencil and violets on the nose. Full-bodied with a powerful and polished tannin structure that follows through to the very end. Pure, silky texture. Fascinating aftertaste of ripe fruit, yet it’s fresh and tense. Some orange peel, too. Glorious at the end. So well crafted and pointed. This needs another three to five years to integrate but already extremely impressive.

A savory version, evoking tomato leaf, eucalyptus and wild herb flavors around a core of cherry. Dry, with burly tannins leaving an astringent feel on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2037. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

From old vines, as the wine's name suggests, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is spicy and very savory. The bouquet introduces a lot of exotic elements that you won't find in any of its peers. These include cumin, clove and cardamom. These spicy notes frame a core of black fruit. This is a medium to full-bodied Brunello with a big sense of inner power that is underlined by a high 15% alcohol content. It does, however, finish a bit short. Some 18,000 bottles were released.

Initially well marked by new oak, the resinous note of this red has toned down, with vanilla notes framing the black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, while a solid layer of beefy tannins lends support. Best from 2025 through 2040. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add