Plenty of dark cherries, cedar, sandalwood and licorice on the nose. Full-bodied with firm and polished tannins that nicely melt into the wine. Pure and beautiful fruit. Give this time to open. Better after 2023.

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is characterized by some of those same earthy notes of crushed limestone and baked clay that we saw so clearly in the other two entry-level red wines released by this estate. Wild cherry and dried raspberry cede to oregano, basil or balsam herb. However, overall the fruit intensity is faded. The tannins are on the dry side, and perhaps the heat of the vintage reveals itself there with greater clarity. This wine is best served in the near term.

A smoky mix of pine, chalk dust, crushed violets, lavender and dried strawberries lifts up from the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino. This is savory yet silky on the palate, with a drenching wave of red and black berries that leaves salty minerals and fine-grained tannins in its wake. It tapers off with hulking structure, echoing purple-tinged florals and hints of sweet spice through the finale. The 2017 will require cellaring to soften and resolve. That said, I don't think it will enjoy a long life thereafter.