2013 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna gli Angeli Riserva

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is dark, rich and ripe, showing crushed plum and sweet apple, giving way to confectionery spices, orange zest, sweet minerals and florals, in a primary, fruit-forward expression. On the palate, soft textures give way to dark red berries and sweet spices. Subtle but deep mint, herbs, orange spice, and hints of cedar come to the fore. The finish is long, showing dark chocolate and sweet spices, with lingering herbal tones and hints of fine tannins resonating beneath it all. It’s hard to imagine how the 2013 Riserva will mature, as it’s already in an extremely enjoyable stage of its evolution.

Classic nose, red and dark fruits with dark chocolate. Taut and tense palate with fine and firm tannins and juicy acidity. Young but has all the attributes to age nicely. (AC)

The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli (with just 5,466 bottles made) is a little different, or should I say odd. The bouquet shows more ripeness than I would have expected, with aromas of dried plum and dried cherry skin. The wine's appearance is dark and concentrated. Sour cherry aromas and bitter blackberry offset those more pronounced tones of ripeness that you get at the very beginning. The wine undergoes 15 days of skin maceration, and those fermentation-driven aromas have left their mark.