2016 PATRIZIA CENCIONI SOLARIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO MONTALCINO “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino holds your attention with a gorgeous bouquet of lavender giving way to cherry, blackberries, earthy minerals and white smoke.This is dark in character and silky in feel with a savory, almost-salty display of polished black fruits and minerals. Brisk acids provide grip and lend a cheek-puckering tension. Fine tannins ad to the 2016’s already-youthful poise, yet they don’t get in the way. A mix of sweet violet florals and lingering ripe fruit satiate the palate. I love the balance here. The 2016 almost tricks you into thinking that it doesn’t need time in the cellar to show its best. But don’t be fooled; this will only get better with time.” 93+ Points "There’s still a lot of oak on the nose now, but the aromatic, ripe-plum character comes out more on the front palate. This is very sturdy and built to last with full, chewy tannins that only let a little savory spice through the gate for now. So give it plenty of time. Drink from 2024." 93 Points "The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is highly aromatic with cedar, tobacco, black plum, and scorched earth. Its full-bodied palate offers dried black cherry, tomato leaf, and coffee as well as ripe, gripping tannins. It was aged for 40 months in French and Slavonian oak of various sizes. This powerfully structured wine will take time to reach maturity. Drink 2022-2032." 92 Points