The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino smolders up from the glass to offer a dark yet perfumed display of dusty dried roses, giving way to nuances of cherry and lavender. This is a savory yet polished effort, with velvety waves washing across a medium-bodied frame, along with densely packed red and black fruits that evolve into purple-tinged inner florals, and exotic spices that last well through the finale. The tannins are sweet and rounded and, while structured, the expression remains remarkably fresh, leaving behind a lasting nuance of violet candies. This is a wonderfully pretty and delicate interpretation of the 2017 vintage.

Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. Quite vegetal on the nose but with a sweet undertow. Cranberry and raspberry fruit on the palate. Fragrant and elegant but could do with a tad more concentration. (WS)