Classic to the core, Le Ragnaie's Brunello di Montalcino lifts from the glass with a savory, layered display of forest berry, offset by smoky minerals, alpine-inspired herbs, dark soil tones, tobacco and a hint of animal musk. On the palate, silky textures flesh out across the senses with notes of ripe cherry, sweet spice, and a buzz of bright acids. The finish is long, fresh, nearly salty, incredibly satisfying, and with energy to burn as pretty red fruits, spice, and sweet inner florals linger long. This may not be a Le Ragnaie for the ages, but it sure is a wonderfully balanced and enjoyable Brunello today that will thrill lovers of Sangiovese.

Luminous red-ruby. Beautifully expressive nose hints at red cherry, coffee, herbs and sweet spices. Then at once graceful and powerful, with outstanding acid-tannin balance and sweet spices complicating the ripe red cherry fruit flavors. Closes long and youthfully chewy, with above average density and a multilayered complexity that makes this one of the very top classico Brunellos of the vintage.

The Le Ragnaie 2015 Brunello di Montalcino doles out impressive intensity and depth. This is a tour de force expression of Sangiovese that travels the entire continuum of Sangiovese, starting with wild cherry and unfolding to later reveal pressed blue flowers, spice and potting soil. This is textbook Brunello on all levels, and I am happily excited by this particular vintage. Fruit for this wine is sourced from four unique sites, all located in different parts of the appellation. This explains the wine's pan-Brunello appeal. The 2015 growing season brings out personality and aromatic abundance with slightly softer and more approachable contours. The acidity feels tame in 2015. Continuing with that thought, I would recommend this wine for near- and medium-term drinking because it performs so nicely now, straight out of the gate. Some 30,000 bottles were made. This wine will released in February 2020.

Tasted blind. Just mid ruby with orange tinges. Savoury, minerally red-fruit nose. Quite generous and not too demanding, with tangy cherry fruit marked by a touch of gingerbread and with firm, polished tannins. Ready now. (WS)