2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ripe al Convento Riserva

The Frescobaldi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Ripe al Convento di CastelGiocondo opens a happy new chapter for this celebrated Tuscan wine family. The Frescobaldis have successfully embraced the classic and iconic qualities of the vintage with the chiseled and sharp aromas that came naturally in 2016. Those etched contours come forth as cherry, blackberry, rose, spice, tar and tobacco. However, the wine's 15% alcohol is a distraction here, as it is in many of the Riservas tasted in this report. This is a production of 12,000 bottles.

Lustrous ruby. Tingling, exotic spice and cherry-liqueur nose with a hint of gingerbread. Succulent and dense on the palate and with oodles of juicy acidity. The coating tannins are almost completely absorbed in the lush fruit on the finish. (WS)

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ripe al Convento di Castelgiocondo opens slowly in the glass, with grumblings of exotic spice, red currants, pine and roses that come forward with coaxing. This takes a turn toward total elegance on the palate, which is both silky and weighty in feel, with a core of bright acidity to balance. Cherries, strawberries and hints of plum can all be found, yet a coating of fine-grained tannins builds toward the close and then clenches down hard through the finale. Salted licorice and inner violet tones linger on. It will be many years before 2016 reveals the full depths of its potential.