2015 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum

The San Polino 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum shows loads of dark fruit and depth. If the estate's other Brunello from this vintage (both of them 8,000-bottle yields) is all about the red fruit, the Helichrysum embraces black fruit aromas of prune and plum instead, giving the wine a heavier center of gravity, more determination and momentum. This warm vintage would make a fantastic pairing to the classic Tuscan bistecca alla Fiorentina.

Tasted blind. Deep, almost dark ruby. Savoury-sweet, spicy nose with salty, minerally notes. Gorgeous, layered yet compact fruit that is not yet fully open and firm tannins that demand more time. (WS)

Ripe boysenberries, tar, chestnuts, orange peel, dried cherries and tobacco. There’s a beautiful interplay between the more subtle, citrus notes and darker red fruit, and nothing’s out of kilt to the ripeness. Lots of powerful tannins take the full-bodied palate by storm, coating the mouth in layers of intense but fragrant red fruit and steamrolling this Brunello to a long, chewy conclusion. This is a contrastive wine ,built on the foundation of an intricate, wild tannin backbone, but framed in a vibrant and transparent package.