Brunello Di Montalcino, 2017

The traditional Brunello has a full, red-fruited bouquet with an undertow of blood orange, citrus, balsamic and spice. If the vintage is felt anywhere it is perhaps in the slightly edgier tannins, but these are more than offset by the wild cherry fruits, herbs, mint and stones so typical of this zone to give an overall handsome, traditional feel. In 2017, the fruit from Castelnuovo suffered too much, so the blend comes from vines around Le Ragnaie itself, Petroso and Montosoli only – the cooler, higher zones.