Val di Suga, Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy 2020

A blend of holdings in diverse pockets of Montalcino, Val di Suga’s estate bottling gives a candid snapshot of the vintage. It plays to the red-fruit character with candied watermelon, glossy cherries and red currants. Well endowed yet taut and appropriately contained by crisp tannins, this pops with zesty, citrussy acidity and notes of mandarin, while dried herbs linger. Enjoyable from the get-go, and a perennial value pick in the context of Brunello.

A very elegant Brunello, with fine-honed tannins framing the dense cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit. Broody layer of dark chocolate, moca and coffee bean. Long finish with a tail of cocoa, orange zest and dry mint. Very appealing now but with some potential to age in bottle.