2016 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
Dark ruby with orange tinges. At first this gives the impression on the nose of already progressing with some tertiary aromas but on the whole this is complex and, with aeration, increasingly lifted. Lots of juice and with finely chiselled tannins. The fruit is a little developed but the balance is near perfect. This just needs a lot of time in the glass. Looks a little developed at first, but changes into something complex. (WS)
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Lustrous mid ruby. A tiny bit sharp but otherwise firmly closed on the nose. Dark, peppery spice, brooding dark fruit with stalky earthy notes and showing some progress. Sweet, fruit palate with fine coating tannins and supple acidity. Needs more time to show its true colours. (WS)
This is a cooler style of Brunello with blueberries, black cherries, crushed stones and lavender. It’s full-bodied with firm, tight tannins. Yet, it opens at the end to pinpointed fruit and tannins. Give this time to soften. Try after 2024.
The remarkably pretty 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a pure bouquet full of wild strawberries, woodland berries and herbs with a hint of crushed stone. It’s soft and enveloping, displaying fleshy red fruits, savory spice and salty minerals, while vibrant acids maintain wonderful freshness. It’s only at the very end that its youthful structure comes forward, grippy and classically drying, yet under an air of red licorice and inner rose. There’s a beautiful harmony to this vintage of Le Potazzine, which should provide a long and wide drinking window. (EG)