2008 Brunello di Montalcino V. V.

Very high vineyard with some sandstone and galestro. Some gamey, rusty-nail character. Pretty extreme! More acid and tannin than the regular bottling. Very angular at the moment. And a bit charred on the finish. For now, I honestly prefer the regular but perhaps this will eventually surprise me. (JR)

The estate's 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Ragnaie V.V., an old-vines bottling, is naturally richer and more powerful in style than the regular bottling. Dark cherries and plum notes lad to sweet exotic spices, licorice and tobacco in this relatively fresh, pliant Brunello. Here, too all the elements are very nicely balanced. The V.V isn't better than the regular bottling, just darker, richer and more virile in its interpretation of Sangiovese. Hints of licorice, menthol and a host of other balsamic nuances wrap around the finish.

The estate’s 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Ragnaie V.V., an old-vines bottling, is naturally richer and more powerful in style than the regular bottling. Dark cherries and plum notes lead to sweet exotic spices, licorice and tobacco in this relatively fresh, pliant Brunello. Here, too, all the elements are very nicely balanced. The V.V. isn’t better than the regular bottling, just darker, richer and more virile in its interpretation of Sangiovese. Hints of licorice, menthol and a host of other balsamic nuances wrap around the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2023. If I had to bet on an estate with the clear potential to enter Montalcino’s top echelon over the next decade, Le Ragnaie would be at or near the top of my list. Unlike the vast majority of his peers, proprietor Riccardo Campinoti has a global view of wine and a much broader perspective than most producers, qualities that will continue to serve him well as he builds his family’s winery. Campinoti crafts traditionally made Rossos and Brunellos loaded with class, but I am quite confident the best is yet to come. The three 2008 Brunellos were fermented in cement and spent 36 months in cask prior to being bottled. Importer: Vine Street Imports, Mt. Laurel, NJ; tel. (856) 840-8388