Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 'Madonna del Piano' 2015 - 1.5 Litre Bottle

Spectacular aromas of crushed fruit, plums, porcini and black truffles. Decadent year, but fresh. Full-bodied, dense and linear on the palate, yet so much in balance and refined with incredible depth and consistency. The savoury and juicy finish, with vivid acidity and fruit, is eye-opening. Greatest ever. Best after 2025, but can’t wait to try it again.

Cherry, berry and wild herb flavours mark this linear red, which is pure and vibrant, with refined tannins and bright acidity underlying it all. The mineral-tinged finish is fresh and long, with fine harmony in the end. Best from 2024 through 2049.

The Valdicava 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano is a lovely wine that finds a nice balance between power and elegance. You get the character of the fruit with dried cherry, cassis and cranberry and delicate nuances of grilled herb, cola and blue flower. The bouquet also shows lots of balsam intensity with root beer and rosemary oil. These two sides of the wine reach equilibrium, and the only thing needed here is more cellar aging time. There is a point of youthful tannic astringency that needs to unwind and integrate. I would not recommend opening this 25,000-bottles release before the 10-year mark.