1990 Brunello di Montalcino

The 1990 Brunello di Montalcino is another deeply-colored, massive wine. It is bigger and more powerful than the 1988 even if it doesn't have that wine's elegance. Nevertheless, it remains a compelling wine loaded with the essence of dark fruit, spices, menthol and earthiness. Sweet and long, with finessed, well-integrated tannins, it clearly has the stuffing to drink well for another decade. The 1990 was the first vintage to be partially aged in medium-size French oak casks, whereas in the past the estate had used Slavonian oak.