2013 Brunello di Montalcino

Dark and earth-driven, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino lifts from the glass with a rich and savory blend of ashen stones, underbrush, dried black cherries, cedar shavings and worn leather. This is surprisingly energetic and racy within, with a tart citrus flourish giving way to wild red berries and minerals, all motivated by brisk acidity. Tannins come forward through the finish, gripping the palate with youthful tension as hints of tangerine mix with a sour cranberry crunch. The 2013 is still many years away from its optimal drinking window, yet patience will be rewarded. This is simply stunning, marrying the cooler influence of the vintage with Il Poggione’s imposing and structured style.

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino lives up to the impeccable reputation garnered by this estate over the years. This is a profound and beautifully rendered Sangiovese that delivers bold and luscious fruit quality with black cherry and spicy plum at the start. The bouquet follows through with mild oak notes of smoke, tar and toasted nut. There is another aromatic component that includes crushed stone and dried herb or mint. This Brunello shows elegant evolution in the glass and promises a very long ageing future ahead. Some 200,000 bottles were made, so it should be easy to locate this excellent wine.

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is a brilliant bottle of wine and is another ripe, sexy, ready to go 2013 Brunello. This was a sunny, warm vintage that suffered from rain at harvest, yet the wines have loads of charm and accessibility, and they certainly don't lack for ripeness. This beauty boasts a medium ruby color as well as a fabulous bouquet of spiced red cherries, balsamic, incense, and licorice. It's medium to full-bodied, layered, ripe, and seamless on the palate, with nicely concealed oak and rock-solid underlying density and ripe tannins. It's a beautiful wine that has plenty of upfront appeal as well as upwards of two decades of longevity. Bravo!