A big, dramatic wine, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino hits the palate with an exotic mélange of lavender, dried flowers, mint, sage, black cherries and plums, all supported by firm tannins and beams of underlying acidity. Constantly changing in the glass, the 2010 is going to provide superb drinking for many years, but readers will need to give this big, broad-shouldered Brunello a little time in bottle to fully come together. Le Potazzine is one of the very few estates that will not bottle a 2010 Riserva; all the best fruit is here.

Fascinating aromas of nuts, dried fruits, leather and bark follow through to a full body, soft tannins and a savory finish. Very drinkable now.

Savory and seductively spicy, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a beautifully expressive wine with loads of aromatic intensity that ranges from ethereal balsam herb to cured meat to dark berry fruit. Earthy tones and crushed minerals fill in the back, but the main part of the bouquet is dominated by rich fruit. The results are truly stunning with meaningful and long persistency on the palate. This Brunello is already at a good point in its evolution and is already very generous. You can probably start to enjoy it following three or four years of cellar aging. (Monica Larner)

Bright red. Intense, highly perfumed aromas of red cherry, licorice, crushed stone, sage and violet. Juicy, fresh and linear on the palate, with its red fruit and herb flavors accented by a gingery spicy note. Finishes distinctly saline and very long, with nuances of tar and quinine. This lovely wine boasts plenty of early appeal, but its depth and layered texture suggest that it will age very well. Curiously enough, and in contrast to most other Montalcino estates, Le Potazzine chose not to bottle a 2010 Brunello Riserva.

My excellent impression of this wine has remained the same since I first tasted it three years ago. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is an enormously silky and integrated expression. The wine's power and strength is counted in the many long minutes it remains fixed to the palate. Dark fruit, licorice, tar and grilled herb all play leading roles. In the mouth, this wine shows depth and a beautifully fine texture that is so specific to this classic vintage.