2016 Brunello di Montalcino: a golden vintage

One year in Botti grande. Nice nose, very delicate, and there’s plenty of creamy fruit. This is beautifully balanced, with such a sense of drive and length.

Mastrojanni's Rosso reflects their Brunello, in its opulent, ripe fruit, glossy mouthfeel, and pleasing, tonic-like finish. This is a delicious Rosso, with loads of energy: the perfect foil for so many dishes, a wine built for the table.

We love La Gerla's wines for their understated class, that becomes even more evident after a few extra years in the bottle. The rich core of fruit will soften here, and the wine will last decades: if you can keep your hands off it. A wine you'll want to have in your cellar.

The 2015 Brunello from Biondi-Santi shows this estate is back on form. This has the sunny demeanour of the vintage, but also the restraint and nobility that you'd expect from this address. Notes of sour cherry, tea leaves, and a citrus lift complete the picture on a refined, cerebral, profound Sangiovese.

From the Cerrino vineyard, this is a lovely Rosso from Enzo Tiezzi. There's a wildness and intensity here; already approachable, it will be even better in a few years.

The 2019 Rosso from La Gerla is a juicy, fragrant Sangiovese from a brilliant estate. Notes of orange peel and wild flowers, and there's a chalky, savoury texture, too. Delicious.

Laura's wines are always wonderfully pretty, and this is no exception. Detailing on the palate, and a real sense of energy here makes this an utterly beguiling Rosso.

This is a precise, focussed, impressive Brunello from Mastrojanni. Notes of plum and orange zest on the nose, while the palate is nicely rounded, but with grainy tannins, and a real energy on the finish. Very nicely put together, this.

The Vigna Soccorso is a single vineyard Brunello, from one of the most prized sites in the appellation. It’s powerful and intense, with notes of ripe morello cherries, blood orange, and a herbal lift. The palate is intense, with concentrated fruit and enveloping tannins. This will need time, but when it does, it will be a remarkable wine for the price. Not to be missed in 2016.

We’ve tasted the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino from Le Potazzine numerous times since it was harvested, and it’s blossomed into a simply stunning Brunello. On the nose, notes of wild flowers, fresh citrus fruits, and a core of morello cherries. The palate is structured and intense, with incredible poise and vibrant acidity. It’s a stunning wine, from one of our favourite producers.

From a warmer site in front of the winery, the 2016 Loreto balances incredible energy and a plush, opulent mouthfeel, making it a truly beguiling Sangiovese. There's notes of tea and some grapefruit zest alongside the core of cherry fruit. Surprisingly ready to go, but with huge potential.

Cupano's Brunello 2016 is a stunning wine. Notes of tapenade and baked earth swirl from the glass, with a core of deep fruit. The palate is structured but impeccably balanced, and there's a sense of energy on the finish. Detailed, long, and spellbounding, this is not to be missed.

This is a Rosso that far outperforms most Brunellos you’ll taste. Notes of tapenade and wild berries, with hints of burnt leaf and wild violets. It’s the texture and length that really impress: with energy and purity in spades, this will last for decades.

From a hot site running along a ridge, it's the balance here that's most remarkable. Notes of wild herbs and some blackcurrent dominate, but there's also a fine core of citrus fruit that keeps this lifted, alongside chalky tannins, and real salinity. This will need some time, but will be very very impressive.