2012 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso

Good full red. Captivating nose combines dark red berries, sweet spices, botanical herbs and licorice. Sweet and sappy but still youthfully closed, his conveys a more powerful mouthfilling saline impression of extract than the Brunello classico. Finishes suave and rich, but with a strong underlying acid-tannin spine providing support. Mar 2017, www.vinous.com, Drink: 2022-2034

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona is one of the headline estates of Montalcino and the Pianrosso single vineyard is known for its consistency and the steady grace of its performance. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso does not quite reach the heights of the outstanding 2010 vintage. This release comes near in terms of power and purity, although it bears some of the weight of the hot vintage. The darkness of fruit is more pronounced and the tannins are a bit softer. Make no mistake, the thick soils of the Pianrosso site have helped to achieve impressive balance. The long finish offers tobacco, balsam herb and dried fruit. Mar 2017, www.robertparker.com