Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Ten years on, the 2016 San Lorenzo Brunello di Montalcino still feels youthful, and its best years remain ahead. The color is a glowing medium ruby-brick core with a soft pink rim, and the nose is complex, with dusty wild strawberry, ripe marionberry, Tellicherry peppercorn, dried hibiscus, and preserved orange zest. Secondary notes of tanned leather and cigar box are beginning to surface, adding depth to the Sangiovese fruit. Tannins are integrated yet still grippy, and moderate-plus acidity carries the medium-plus to full body evenly from the front of the palate to the back. Another 5 years in bottle will reveal even more.