This is plush, boasting cherry, plum, leather, mineral and tobacco flavors. Vibrant and solidly built, with a long, expansive and spicy aftertaste. Needs some time, but this should come together nicely in three to five years. Best from 2022 through 2038. 300 cases made.

Soft, velvety fruit opens the nose of the ripe and very luscious 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. This hot-vintage Sangiovese exudes dark fruit, prune and black plum. There are sweet notes of spice, leather and tobacco at the back. This Brunello plays its best cards in the mouth. It offers crisp contours and lots of textural richness and fruity fiber throughout. Some 11,000 750-milliliter bottles were produced.

This offers aromas of plum, truffle, new leather, exotic spice and a whiff of French oak. The structured elegant palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and espresso framed in firm close-grained tannins that give the finish grip. A note of dried sage marks the close.