Podere Brizio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

Podere Brizio is a boutique, certified-organic estate on the southwest side of Montalcino, on the prime land of Pieve di Santa Restituta, and it is among the most traditional wineries in the area. The label shows the old Parpagliola coin, minted in 1556, the year the Republic of Siena took refuge in the Montalcino fortress to keep itself alive. The Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese, hand-harvested, soft-pressed and destemmed, then fermented naturally for about two weeks. It is aged 48 months in large French oak, followed by a further six months in bottle, so it spends a full four and a half years maturing before release. Production is small, at around 1,000 cases in the 2015 and about 500 in the 2016.

The result is a classic, fluid Riserva with real structure. Ripe black cherry, blackberry and plum lead, with violets, sandalwood and new leather, then woodsy notes, wild herbs, mineral, black pepper and a touch of orange peel. The palate is full-bodied and enveloping, with fine-grained, velvety tannins and a long finish.