2018 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina

Pieve Santa Restituta made the hard decision to skip production in the hot and dry 2017 vintage, and thus returns to the market with its 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina. Made with a blend of fruit from three vineyard sites with very different soil profiles, the Rennina maintains its distinct personality with elegant aromas of red fruit, forest berry, cassis, balsam herb and toasted almond. This vintage shows a hint of baked clay or black olive that underlines the warm vintage conditions. The wine is generous in terms of mouthfeel, with a nice fullness that remains graceful at the same time.

Delicate and understated in the glass, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Rennina whisps up with a pleasantly earthy mix of dried strawberries, roses and clove nuances. This coasts silky textural fruits across a core of brisk acidity and saline-minerals in an untethered Brunello of pure elegance. It finishes with ample tannins, but also remarkably fresh, leaving notes of red plum, mocha and tobacco to linger. This harmonious vintage of Rennina should evolve beautifully in collectors’ cellars.

Mid to deep ruby with orange tinges. A little more open and richer on the nose than Sugarille and supple and juicy, if a little leaner, on the palate, which makes the tannins stand out a little right now. Just a hint of oak. (WS)