2016 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta di Fossacolle

A full-bodied, firmly structured red with dried cranberries, dried earth, leather and smoke on the nose. Fresh and sour cherries on the palate, alongside firm, chewy and tobacco-like tannins. Better after 2024.

The Fossacolle 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a charming level of intensity and purity. This wine really jumped out at me thanks to the chiseled and sharp quality of fruit and the lingering acidity and power one receives on the finish. It undergoes both its primary and secondary fermentation in cement and is racked into French and Slavonian oak (of various sizes) for two years. Everything just works here, and the wine delivers great harmony between its fruit, spice, acidity and structure. Production is 17,000 bottles.

The 2016 Brunello has lifted aromas of pine, menthol, dried red plum, and cedar. The palate is pure and energetic with crisp red cherry, dried violets, amaro, and youthful, grippy tannins. I love its classic, angular, pure style. Fossacolle is located in Tavernelle where they farm their small, four-hectare estate. The 2016 was aged for two years in French and Slavonian oak. Drink 2022-2034.