La Colombina Brunello di Montalcino 2018

The nose offers luxurious aromas that recall the end of a leisurely meal, from coffee to anise liqueur to chocolate and dried figs, with a warm, metallic edge of crushed rocks and tar that define a slightly more reserved palate, contoured further by austere tannins.

A savory and spicy Brunello full of cloves, dried orange peel, plums, new leather and dried earth. Nice fluidity and structure on the medium-bodied palate with medium-intensity elegant flavors and a tight, juicy and complex finish. Walnuts and a hint of caramelized orange in the finish. Drink now

Sweet violets and roses giving way to crushed plums and flowery underbrush form a nuanced and inviting bouquet as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino unfolds in the glass. It's soft, round and built on purity. There's a saline tinge to its wild berry fruits as a subtle tug of sour citrus adds contrast. The 2018 finishes lightly tannic, savory and almost salty in character, with a touch of brown spice that adds a bit of a rustic flair. While quite enjoyable, the 2018 will be best consumed over the short term. It's a thoroughly balanced Brunello, yet the finish gives me pause from an aging standpoint.