The citrus, dark fruit and leaf aromas are intense. Full body, polished and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Extremely structured and beautiful. Needs two or three years to soften.

The Frescobaldi family is behind this very handsome bottle from Tuscany. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Luce is packed tight with brightness and sunshine. Compared to the family's other Brunellos made under the Castelgiocondo brand, this wine is more opulent, more concentrated and more modern or contemporary overall. It is designed to appeal to an international audience for sure and most certainly delivers the goods if you are looking for roundness, ripe fruit and thick texture. It is deliciously irresistible with bold cherry, exotic spice and tobacco. That bright acidity on the close will help the wine age carefully over the next 10 years. Drink 2020-2030. ML

A modern style, this boasts plenty of new oak, bringing vanilla, toast and resin elements, along with a layer of prickly tannins. Shows ample ripe fruit midpalate, and should integrate in two to three years. Best from 2022 through 2036. BS