2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Phenomena is dark and powerful, but that has been achieved with a loss of freshness. There isn’t much complexity here to speak of, nor do I see much potential for aging. Orange peel, dried cherry, mint and rosewater overtones are laced into the finish. Overall, the 2010 Riserva feels compact and tastes like an older wine than it is because the fruit is already beginning to dry out.

Tasted blind. Mature-looking ruby with orange rim. Shy at first. Very elegant and fluid and with a hint of dried fruit and bags of cherry and beautiful, coating grainy tannins. Powerful yet elegant, fine and classy. (WS)

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena comes in bright and distinctive packaging that reflects the good cheer and sunny disposition of this powerful red wine from southern Tuscany. This balanced vintage has created a wine that is deeply redolent of Maraschino cherry, blackberry confit, Indian spice and dark licorice. In contrast to the more opulent generosity of the bouquet, Riserva Phenomena delivers a shorter and leaner mouthfeel than expected. Aug 2016, www.robertparker.com