2021 Brunello di Montalcino

The Le Chiuse 2021 Brunello di Montalcino is a lovely wine and one of my favorites from a vintage that is not always easy to read. It delivers its message clearly with dark fruit, blue flower, grilled herb and sweet cedar, showing a sense of fullness and aromatic completeness that is not always present in this year. Soft and silky on the palate, the wine offers gentle, powdery tannins supported by good underlying structure, achieving balance without force. Sourced as a special selection from eight hectares of organically farmed vineyards with cool exposures, this bottling demonstrates how site and restraint can successfully interpret variety and vintage. Production is 19,800 bottles.

Bottle 02531. Certified organic by Valoritalia. Mid to deep ruby. Dramatic deep, serious nose with hints of cracked pepper and mace. Cherry, damson and plum. Real complexity that reveals itself with aeration, but still a little subdued overall. Suave, succulent, deep fruit supported by beautiful, gravelly tannins. Fantastic balance but still very much curled up. Although full-bodied the whole conveys a sense of medium weight on the palate. One for the cellar. (WS)

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino opens in the glass with a youthful blend of dried flowers, underbrush, crushed rocks and dried black cherries. It is surprisingly round and soothing to the senses, with waves of pure silk and red berry fruits elevated by a core of vibrant acidity. Minerality comes through in the finish, crunchy and long, as sweet tannins frame the experience remarkably well. This is a gorgeous interpretation of the vintage, yet patience is required.