1979 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

The 1979 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is flat-out stunning, making it almost impossible to pull away from the glass. Plum sauce, crushed ashen stone, balsam herbs, tobacco, dark, dark chocolate and the slightest hint of candied orange peel make it hard to ignore. This is incredibly deep in color, with only an amber hue around the rim. It’s rich and soft on the palate, contrasting a sour-citrus twang with fleshy remnants of black cherry, motivated by bright acidity, and leaving the senses literally buzzing with juicy tension. The contrasts here are amazing, and the length is as well. A wonderfully mature expression of Sangiovese, and one that should continue to shine for years to come.