This is a very special wine from Stella di Campalto that marches forward like a little toy soldier. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Podere S. Giuseppe Bosco was released earlier in 2024. The wine has a hard side with ferrous mineral, earth and rust that frame a dark core of fruit. It is a blend of fruit from the Sasso, Leccio and Curva Lato Bosco vineyard sites. The latter, Bosco, or "forest," remains important to this estate, as the vines are planted in close proximity to the rich biodiversity and underground root mycorrhiza that Stella di Campalto credits with keeping her vines healthy and strong. This expression is just beautiful and is my favorite among these new releases. It shows a bigger tannic signature that will translate into long cellar aging. The wine is named after a verse from a song because she says "rhythm is key" to this bottle.

The word serenity comes to mind when reflecting on the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Bosco. This takes the freshness and finesse of the vintage and matches it perfectly to the Campalto house style. A cascade of exotic flowers mixes with earth tones, hints of spice and dried strawberries. It hovers across the palate, seemingly weightless yet truly impactful, as vividly red berry fruits are propelled by tantalizing acidity. A suggestion of lavender embellishes the close. The slightest tug of sweet tannins comes together with a gentle mineral tinge as the 2018 finishes long and perfumed. This understated beauty holds its power in reserve. I love it.