Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 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.

The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggio Alle Mura is another brooding wine with pine sap, menthol, black cherry, and sage. The palate is dense and full, with more cherry pit, tea leaf, and baked earth. The structure of these Castello Banfi wines is dense and meaty, with iron richness. This one needs some time, but I wouldn't bet on it lasting for decades before turning to tertiary. Drink 2025-2032.