2018 Brunello di Montalcino Sassetti Livio Pertimali

Intense aromas of black cherries, lavender and spice, such as nutmeg. Some sandalwood and bark, too. Fullbodied with a solid core of fruit and tannins for the vintage. Rather chewy, suggesting that additional bottle age is needed. Try after 2026.

Truffle, forest floor, leather and blue flower aromas mingle with whiffs of prune. Tangy and taut, the linear, vibrant palate features tart red cherry, pomegranate and star anise alongside tangy saline mineral notes. Tightly wound, fine-grained tannins and racy acidity provide balance and support.

Balsamic and decidedly modern alternating notes of red flowers with hints of lime, grapefruit, white pepper, crushed chalk, gunshot powder, guaranà, cut cedar and coriander. Medium to full bodied, very soft, rounded tannins and a juicy, harmonic finale of pleasurable luminosity.

Rich with compact and velvety layers, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino offers fleshy aromas of fig, black licorice, mocha, and roasted sage. It is full-bodied and displays more freshness and transparency on the palate, although it remains fully ripe, with black cherry, plum, turned soil, and macerated violets. It has full and present ripe tannins, a hint of crushed rock, and a saline, savory finish. With its liqueur-like richness throughout, this is a fantastic expression, but it needs a couple of years in the cellar before drinking over the following 10.