Biondi Santi: Brunello di Montalcino 2016

Jancis Robinson om: Brunello di Montalcino

Lustrous mid ruby. A balsamic nose with hidden depth. Layered like an onion and with aeration finely perfumed. Compact, almost linear and transparent red fruit on the palate with a layer of bitter-sweet powdery tannins that are a little dominant right now. Shy, long, lingering fruit finish that demands much more time in the bottle. Like a decade, and probably more. Day 2: A little monolithic and still not entirely open on the nose. Very slow for the cherry fruit to rise from the glass. Fantastic compact core of pure sour cherry and still-formidable tannins that have become more polished over the last 24 hours. Still embryonic and no signs of any oxidation. Day 3: Still not entirely open on the nose but with a brooding intensity. Less balsamic and more fruit-focused than 24 hours ago. A ripe layer of fruit that is still embryonic and with now firm but polished tannins. Layered and concentrated. Fantastic balance. 18/20