Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Poggio alle Mura 2018

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura (with 51,200 bottles made) shows balance and ripeness with a good combination of cherry, wild plum, blue flower, tobacco and sweet earth. The outlier is the 15% alcohol content. The wine is generous in texture and scope, yet it ultimately feels light and accessible to the palate. The tannins are well managed, but the wine's ample fruit weight feels supple and rich. These glass bottles are on the heavy side, with 51,200 of them released.

This is a savory and mineral expression with aromas of dried and sour cherries, bark, tomato leaf and iodine. Crushed stones and sea shells, too. Full body with firm, chewy tannins. Some austerity but focused and linear at the end. Needs some time to soften and open. Try after 2025.

This red is packed with black cherry, blackberry, black currant, iron, tobacco and earthy tea flavors. Both lush and powerful, with great persistence on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2045.

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura wafts up from the glass with an exotic blend of steeped black cherries and plums offset by minty herbs and hints of pine. This is round and energetic on the palate, with mineral-tinged wild berries accelerated by vibrant acidity. A web of fine tannins clamp down hard through the finale, coupled with a bitter tinge of balsamic spice that creates an achingly tense sensation that lingers on. There’s certainly enough structure to carry the 2018 in the cellar, but I feel its fruit won’t be up to the task of keeping pace