Acclaim

Fragrant and all about finesse, this gorgeous wine opens with enticing aromas of blue flower, forest floor, wild berry and a whiff of eucalyptus. It’s linear and elegant, delivering succulent red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and tobacco alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2022–2030. KERIN O’KEEFE

Rose, violet, camphor, wild berry and aromatic herb aromas are front and center in this gorgeous red. It’s juicy, enveloping and delicious, doling out succulent black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and baking spice alongside velvety tannins. Thanks to the estate’s vineyards north of Montalcino, it has freshness and mid-term staying power. Drink 2022–2030. KERIN O’KEEFE

The Colonia parcel sits at the top of Fèlsina’s Poggio a Rancia vineyard on an extremely rocky outcrop. South facing and reaching upwards of 400 metres above sea level, it is enclosed by forest. Aged exclusively in new fine-grain, medium toast French oak barriques, this has the power and depth to effortlessly absorb the wood. It exudes the untamed generosity of Tuscany’s countryside with baked earth, dried thyme plum, and succulent dark cherry punctuated by savoury spice and incense. While immediately seductive in its charms, structurally this could use some more time in the bottle as those vigorous chalky tannins build artfully across the palate.

After sitting out the 2014 vintage, Andrea Costanti calls 2015 a beautiful year and one of the best in the history of Brunello. He deemed it exceptional enough to craft a Riserva (to be released in 2021) yet his classic Brunello hasn’t suffered for it. In fact, it’s one of the greatest successes of the vintage. Gorgeous, seductive aromas are already expressive but still youthful. Cherry and plum are enveloped by exotic spice and a faint smokiness. The palate is plush and velvety with layers of powdery tannins that build, and tangy acid that cleanses the palate. Hedonistic but brilliantly balanced, it is hard to resist now but the best is definitely yet to come. -Michaela Morris, Decanter, Apr. 2020

The Fuligni estate is located between the town of Montalcino and Torrenieri in the northeast. Its 10 ha of vineyards reach up to 450 metres on rocky marls and are mostly east facing. This rather gentle, cooler exposition worked in the wine’s favour in 2015. While full-bodied, it is adeptly proportioned and even demonstrates great precision, boasting sweet, dried herbs, coriander and leather atop plush red cherries. There is a stoniness underneath, with layers of clingy tannins and a sappy, appetising finish. -Michaela Morris, Decanter, Apr. 2020

Costanti’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino explodes from the glass with a classic display of leather, dusty earth, dried strawberries, and savory spice. On the palate, soft, silky textures usher in ripe red fruits, complemented by sweet spices and brisk acids, which create a pure, feminine expression, as hints of fine tannin slowly mount. The finish is medium in length, with just a slight tug of tannic heft. It captures the sun-kissed nature of the vintage wonderfully, and while the 2015 may not be a wine for the ages, it will provide quite a bit of pleasure with mid-term cellaring.

Fuligni’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and alluring, pulling me closer to the glass with each swirl, as a mix of ripe black cherry, rosemary, smoke, and moist earth lift from the glass, with sweet florals and a bit of animal musk developing over time. On the palate, it glides across the senses like silk, with ripe dark red fruits paving the way for sweet spice, as saline-minerals slowly saturate in a display that was perfectly balanced and not missing a single step. The finish is long, showing the first notes of tannic heft, with dried red fruits and minerals. The 2015 Fuligni Brunello balances its beautifully ripe fruit with classic tannins and a truly gorgeous perfumed character. It’s sure to have a lot of fans, and as it youthfully closes up in the glass. I can imagine a long life ahead for it.