Acclaim

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is finessed in the glass, perfumed with nuances of violet and rose, as hints of fresh plum and dried sage evolve over time. This floods the palate with textures like pure silk, washing masses of savory red berries and spices across a balanced core of saline-tinged acidity. A tart twang of sour cherry and hints of citrus electrify the finale, as smooth tannins add a gentle grip, and hints of licorice slowly taper off. The 2012 is a gentle giant with the balance to mature beautifully for years to come; but that said, there’s no shame in checking in on it now; just make sure to let it breathe to unlock its charming bouquet. Drinking window: 2022 – 2032

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a spice box, bursting from the glass with a tour de force of cloves, cinnamon sticks, mint, lavender, dried strawberries and freshly sliced vanilla bean. For all of its extroverted character on the nose, this is a delicate beauty on the palate, cool-toned and finessed, with violet-tinged red berries and exotic spice motivated by brisk acidity. It conveys a pleasant staining of fine tannins that lingers long, yet the character is only lightly structured and tapers off nuanced, leaving a persistent subtle hint of licorice. The 2018’s acidity totals out at 6.3g/L and with only 13.6% abv., which has created a wine that is energetic yet unbelievably classic in feel, especially considering the vintage. Wow. Drinking window: 2025 – 2033

It takes a good amount of time for the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino to open in the glass, as a cloud of white smoke gives way to a sweetly scented mix of dried roses, sugar-dusted cherries and hints of exotic spice. This is a round and supple 2018, communicating elegance through its velvety textures, polished ripe red fruits and cascading inner violet florals. There’s opulence here, yet also the acidity to balance, as the 2018 tapers off long with classically refined tannins, yet leaves the palate perfectly reset for another sip. Frankly, it’s hard to put this glass down. There will be no Riserva produced in 2018, and so all of that juice was used to bolster this open-knit and seductive Brunello. Drinking window: 2025 – 2033

Very aromatic with wild strawberries, lychee, rose petals and dried citrus rind. Medium-bodied with vivid acidity and medium sweetness. Fresh and crunchy with a little hint of tannins and a flavorful finish with notes of spices. Fruity and vibrant. Drink now.

The 2013 Brut Rosé Gran Cuvée shows a lovely mix of vivid strawberries complemented by minty herbs and hints of raw almonds. It’s round, rich and pliant on the palate, with a burst of inner sweetness that’s nicely contrasted by zesty acidity and subtly tart wild berry fruits. This finishes incredibly juicy and fresh, leaving hints of licorice that seem to linger for up to a minute. Of note, the Eronero was submitted to me as a 2013, yet there is no vintage statement on the bottle. (Lot PD-1). Drinking window: 2023-2026

A mix of crushed strawberries, rose petals and mint lifts up as the 2018 Brut Rosé opens in the glass. This is silky and refined with crunchy red berry fruits and a sweet herbal flourish adding lift toward the close. Licorice and exotic spice nuances linger as the Brut Rosé finishes balanced and with admirable length. (Disgorged 2022). Drinking window: 2023 – 2027

Dusty and floral, the 2017 Brut Milledi is sweetly scented and finessed in the glass, with hints of candied apple and white flowers forming its bouquet. It splashes across the palate with a silken bead of elegant bubbles, combining juicy acidity with confectionary spice and a bit of almond custard. This leaves a pleasant, bitter twang while finishing remarkably fresh and perfumed. The Ferghettina style of balanced opulence is on full display in this vintage Franciacorta. (Lot 8M-1). Drinking window: 2023 – 2027

The 2018 Brut Saten is understated and a bit quirky in the glass, slowly evolving to show crushed green apple and wet stone nuances. It glides across the palate with ease, silky and refined. An elegant bead of bubbles and saline-tinged orchard fruits add a more tactile feel toward the close. This tapers off short yet leaves a balanced inner sweetness that lingers. (Lot S1-1). Drinking window: 2022-2026

Pretty peach, chamomile and rose petal notes make the NV Brut Rosé Gran Cuvée a total pleasure on the nose. There’s a wonderful balance of ripe orchard fruit and stimulating citrus concentration carried across a silken wave of fine bubbles. This finishes remarkably fresh yet potent and long, leaving sweet hints of red pear and mint to fade slowly. The Gran Cuvée is a sparkling Aglianico Rose that once again proves the merit and diversity of the variety. Drinking window: 2022 -2025

This wine is built like a mustang, its ripe cherry and berry flavors straining against taut, muscular tannins. Notes of licorice, black tea and orange peel emerge with time in the glass, even as the wine maintains its virile energy through the finish.