2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena
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A more powerful wine compared to the base Brunello, the 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena is brooding with licorice, black cherry, smoldering earth, and cedar. It also displays more savory richness through the palate, with Mediterranean herbs, forest floor, and dried blackberry as well as firm tannins and an angular structure. This one needs a couple more years in the cellar and will drink well over the following 15.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Sesti's 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena carries additional fruit weight due to the hot and dry vintage that resulted in very concentrated berries. Dried cherry and blackberry are framed by earth, spice and cured tobacco leaf. In truth, this Riserva is ready to drink straight out of the gate. The tannins are softly integrated and the finish is laced with plenty of volume and easy texture. Only 3,500 bottles were made.
The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Phenomena is dusty and perfumed, wafting up with a pretty blend of lavender, autumnal spice and steeped plums. This splashes across the palate, with ripe red and black fruits complemented by balsam herbs and a saline core of minerality that adds a more tactile feel toward the close. The Phenomena finishes with impressive length, leaving a crystalline coating of tannins, as hints of blackberry and salted licorice slowly fade.
Deep, dark ruby. Not a lot on the nose and really backward. Same subdued impression on the palate but with a gorgeous lushness of fruit underneath contrasted by firm, but ripe tannins. Embryonic and with near-perfect balance, but much too young right now. (WS)