Le Ragnaie's 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Fornace is a slightly more robust and structured expression. It has a sturdier vinous exoskeleton, so to speak. For this reason, it needs longer to age and will undoubtedly benefit from more years in your cellar. In fact, I tasted this wine several times over the course of many hours and was delighted by the steady and positive evolution it showed. Given time, the wine gives wild berry and earthy tones that come together with encouraging symmetry.

Dark red with a pale rim. Aromas of raspberry, violet, iris, licorice and sweet spices are accented by white pepper. Ripe but vibrant, this highly concentrated, seamless wine boasts nicely integrated acidity and light peppery and strong floral qualities giving lift to the explosive midpalate. Finishes with sweet, building tannins and superb fruity persistence complicated by notes of tar and licorice. Remarkably rich, pliant and distinctive traditional Brunello.

Lustrous mid ruby. A little reductive and stalky on the nose. Embryonic sour-cherry fruit that hesitates to come out. Supple and elegant and with a near perfect balance between tight fruit, energetic acidity and chewy tannins. Plenty of potential class. (WS) (JR)