Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva, 2006
A complex nose of herb and dried fruit precedes a palate bursting with bright ripe plum, cherry and mulberry flavours as well as tarter touches of dried cranberry. Concentrated, layered and very refined and set in a wonderful velvety texture, as big complex and powerful as this wine is, it never at any stage seems to lose composure or vitality. Brilliant. From the estate's oldest (40 years old) and highest vineyard, planted 350 metres above sea level, the wine ages for a year in new French oak and for one year in large Slavonian cask.
critic reviews
Good full red. A bit more exotic and high-toned on the nose than the 2007 classico, offering aromas of dark berries, licorice, violet, mocha and nutty oak. Dense, seamless and concentrated, with noteworthy depth to the flavors of currant, smoke and mocha. Lower-toned and less fruity than the 2007 but possesses sound acidity and finishes sappy and long, with serious tannic clout and a building nutty oak component. I'd enjoy the 2007 over the next five years, then start on this one.