The central element of the Brunello di Montalcino identity is long aging. On the one hand, it can only enter the...
The central element of the Brunello di Montalcino identity is long aging. On the one hand, it can only enter the market in the fifth year after harvest, and on the other hand, thanks to its vibrant acidity and pronounced tannins, it can age for decades. Aging, of course, means not only shelf life but also the opportunity for tertiary aromas to develop and for the wine's components to harmonize. The 2019 Pian delle Vigne, from an excellent vintage, well reflects what a higher-level harmony achievable through aging means: in the aroma, there are truffles, balsamic vinegar, eucalyptus, leaf litter, mushrooms, and anise, while tasting reveals a creamy, velvety texture and surprising vitality accompanying the full body. The amount of tannin is significant, but it does not dry out or taste bitter. Each sip is another paragraph in the story and it is hard to break free from its spell.
