Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Vechhia DOCG 2015 Ragnaie

Wild cherries, dried blueberries and dark currants open the bouquet of Le Ragnaie's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Ragnaie V. V. The cherry signature is forefront, and it emerges with medicinal and balsamic notes towed in close. Fruit comes from the estate's oldest vines (aged 50 years old) planted in the highest part of the appellation (at 600 meters above sea level). The bouquet is seamless, putting forth a chain of similar fruit and spice-related aromas that fall neatly in line. This effect is further reinforced as the wine evolves steadily in the glass. Of the various Brunello Selezioni presented by Le Ragnaie, this wine is the most classic in approach with a slightly more closed and austere personality that will serve it well as it continues its bottle evolution. The wine was bottled in April 2019 and will hit the market in February 2020. Only 3,500 bottles were made.

The exciting news from Le Ragnaie is the release of a new wine, made entirely with fruit from Montosoli. Otherwise, about half of the estate vineyards are located in the higher-elevation parts of the appellation. These locations usually show lots of acidic freshness, but you get less of that in this warm 2015 vintage. This estate has been farming organically sine 2005.

A deep, suggestive Brunello, redolent of forest floor, roasted tobacco, dried rosemary and toast. Chewy and decadent on the full-bodied palate, but the acidity is always there and the tannins never run astray. No doubt there’s hefty alcohol and fruit here, but the way it’s presented makes it all very integrated. Dark chocolate and salted caramel push through the long finish. Needs time. Drink from 2026.

A lush style, this red evokes cherry, strawberry, iron, earth, licorice and tobacco aromas and flavors. Intense and vibrant, with fine harmony and a lingering aftertaste of ripe fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2023 through 2043. 315 cases made

The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino VV shows ripe strawberries with dusty dry soil tones, hints of subtle spice and florals. On the palate, silky textures usher in ripe red berry fruits, with sweet spices and cooling, savory mint, as salty minerality saturates, and zesty acids make the mouth water. The finish is long, taking a turn toward tart red fruits, further accentuated by lingering minerality and a slight structural tug, which promises a beautiful evolution over the medium term. It’s incredibly spicy, grippy, and youthful today, but the V.V. has all the necessary ingredients to be amazing in a few years’ time.