Brunello di Montalcino, Cerbaiona (Molinari) 2010

The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is an absolutely distinctive wine and one unlike this producer has ever released. It feels radically different in terms of concentration, intensity and complexity. I was blown away by the beautiful and profound sense of inner harmony on display here. The wine puts on an epic showing of aromas that span from the simple ripe cherry and blackcurrant to the most ethereal tones of balsam herb, root beer and licorice. In between, are hearty aromas of cured tobacco and smoked meat. It really has it all along the entire Sangiovese spectrum. In the mouth, the wine offers similar complexity with thick extraction backed by sweet and sour layers of fruit and tannic structure. If you are looking for outstanding Brunello, look no further. This is one of the top three wines of the vintage. Drink: 2017 - 2035

Diego Molinari and his team have produced one of the finest wines ever to emerge from this historic property in Montalcino. Cerbaiona with its sloped vineyard sites and historic basement winery has shown a deft ability to capture the beauty of the 2010 vintage. Its traditional winemaking approach allows ample room for varietal expression and this a common thread that unifies the greatest wines on release now.