2017 Brunello di Montalcino

Transparent garnet. Relatively evolved on the nose (much more so than the 2016) and just a little drying on the finish. Not quite perfection alas but pretty good.

Revisiting the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino three years after my first tasting reveals a dark and brooding bouquet of crushed ashen stores, dusty rose and dried strawberries. It's silky smooth, nearly creamy in feel, displaying a black fruit profile and savory herbal tones toward the close. Its minerality comes forward through the finish, along with tannins and hints of balsamic spice as the 2017 finishes long and still quite tense. This has found a better balance over the years, yet it still shows the dry warmth of the vintage.

Carlo Ferrini's Giodo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is plush and softly layered, and the wine has plenty of fiber and cherry to absorb the power that comes naturally to this vintage. This is Carlo's seventh leaf (or vintage) of Brunello from his family-run estate, and it's nice to reflect on the consistency of style and quality achieved since this new venture emerged. Giodo has the advantage of coming onto the scene when international regard and understanding for Brunello was highest (think back to the excellent 2010 vintage). Carlo has not disappointed. He brings us a modern, forward-thinking wine that is rooted in local Tuscan winemaking tradition (just think, one of his first stints was at Soldera Case Basse years ago). This vintage brings home that signature Giodo personality with black cherry, dark fruit and elegant earthy end notes. At about 18-years-old now, his vines are entering an interesting chapter of their lifespan, and we can expect more great results from this estate. Production for this wine is 12,000 bottles.