Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016

A heady bouquet of dried flowers, red berries, loam and mineral that leads to a palate of plum, strawberry and spiced cherry fruits that feel nicely supported by ripe tannins, a fine smooth cut of acidity and background delicate earthiness and dried orange peel. The Il Greppo vineyard, surrounded by an ancient forest and sitting around 550 metres above sea level, is where the fruit for the Riserva comes from. It benefits from good exposure during the day and sees chilly nights that retains freshness and adds to the balance found in this wine. Drink 2028-2060. 99 Points. Monica Larner - The Wine Advocate

?Aromas of strawberries, flowers, fresh mushroom, forest flower, sandalwood, and hints of balsamic. Full-bodied and tight on the finish. This is a linear and fine-tannined red. Available in March 2023. Needs another five years or so to show its full potential. New classic. Better after 2026.? 98 Pts, JS Wine Ratings, James Suckling, Dec 2022

?Ruby-garnet in colour. This is very tight and youthful on the nose, with a brilliant purity of bright cherry fruit and tobacco leaf. The palate is similarly taut, and hard to penetrate. There is an underlying ripeness of fruit but the energy from acid and tannins brings harmony. With significant air the nose starts to open up and show layers of flowers, herbs and savoury spices. It remains a little tricky to see how this focused, refined and tightly wound wine evolves into the edgy and characterful wines of the 1970s and 1980s, but there is no doubting its ageing potential and quality.? 18/20, jancisrobinson.com, Tom Parker, Nov 2022