Good full red. Complex, penetrating aromas and flavors of red cherry, strawberry, minerals and violet, plus a complicating hint of cinnamon. Rich and dense but with a strong mineral underpinning giving this a very precise, lifted mouthfeel. Long and very clean on the vibrant finish. Outstanding, classic, refined Brunello.

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a dark and savory wine with a generous bouquet of meaty aromas that peel back in thick layers. At its core is a healthy dose of black fruit, but background aromas of cured meat, grilled spice and smoked bacon give the wine a unique personality. This wine shows enthusiastic readiness were it to be paired with a succulent, fire-roasted steak. The mouthfeel revealed by this Brunello from Fuligni is surprisingly dense, thick and velvety. The wine shows attractive richness on both the nose and the palate. It is ready to drink in the near or medium-term.

Tasted blind. Mid ruby. Fine, tight and brooding on the nose. Holding back a little on the palate too. Wonderful balance of fruit, succulent acidity and firm, chewy tannins. Real breeding and super-fine. (WS)

Montalcino Nord. Pale ruby. Very perfumed and stylish on the nose. Quite a ripe start and then masses of refined acidity and a heavy charge of fine tannins. An ambitious wine with quite a kick of very obvious concentrated Sangiovese character. (JR)