The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with vibrancy and spunk, showing woodland berries and herbs with crushed wet stone and undergrowth in an incredibly fresh and lively expression. It’s soft and pliant upon entry, enveloping with its saturating raspberry fruits and inner spice, as mineral tension builds, giving way to sweet, elegant tannins and inner florals. The 2017 shows a more slender yet well-muscled interpretation of the 2017 vintage, but it remains remarkably pretty and balanced throughout. Due to the vintage conditions and severe selection, production was down by 12%. EG

A gorgeous offering, this opens with enticing scents of ripe woodland berries, blue flowers, new leather and baking spice. On the elegantly structured, savory palate, taut, polished tannins accompany raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise and crushed rosemary. It's already showing beautifully but will also offer years of fine sipping. Drink 2023–2029. Kerin O'Keefe

Alessandro Mori's Il Marroneto 2017 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a very distinguished and unique character that makes this wine easy to recognize in a lineup of Brunello. This hot and dry growing season made for more powerful aromas and sometimes riper flavors in the appellation, generally speaking. But this magically lean-bodied wine follows its own path, and the warmth of the summer seems to have cemented almost exotic aromas of bay leaf, crushed flower, campfire ash and iron ore. The wine is exceedingly silky and elegant, but instead of opulence, you get streamlined tension accompanied by lifted, immediate aromas of fruit, flowers and light spice. ML

Just north of Montalcino, sitting at over 400 metres, Il Marroneto’s vineyards benefit from cooling north breezes. Proprietor Alessandro Mori maintains a generous canopy to protect the grapes from hail and, above all, sunburn. With a lightness of structure yet concentration of flavour, this is beautifully midweight in presentation. Lifted fragrances of wild broom and mandarin are countered by earthier ash and roasted chestnut nuances. There's a sweet/sour sensation to the red cherry palate, and fine, powdery tannins impart a distinguishing tactile, layered texture. A finale of gingerbread lends further intrigue. Drinking Window 2022 - 2030
Tasted by Michaela Morris (at Mastrojanni, 19 Nov 2021)

Mid ruby. At first a tiny bit chalky and with a hint of gingerbread on the nose, then opens up to perfumed, sweet cherry with minerally, stony notes. Concentrated and mouth-filling cherry fruit with formidable tannins. Bold structure that befits the gorgeous fruit. Not ready yet.
Walter Speller - March 2022