2009 Brunello di Montalcino Pieve Santa Restituta

Robert Baumann’s 2009 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the surprise hits of the vintage. In fact, this is my inaugural encounter with this little estate in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate area. This is an immediately likeable expression that ultimately reveals itself slowly the longer it stays in the glass. The wine ages in botte grande for 40 months which is a very long time on the Brunello scale. This is a deep and voluptuous expression that is laced with floral tones and bright balsam intensity that recalls chopped mint, cola, dried ginger and rosemary oil. The complexity of the aromas is impressive and the wine also shows very good endurance and staying power. There’s a degree of richness and persistency here that is rare to find in the 2009 vintage. I’m curious to revisit this wine in five years or more. Drink: 2016-2027. Importer: Southport Wines, www.southportwines.com