Uccelliera Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2015

An enticing version, whose vibrant character sets the pace for fresh black cherry, blackberry, iron and tobacco, with a frame of oak spice. Round and solidly built, this persists with lingering accents of fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2024 through 2048.

The Uccelliera 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with 9,600 bottles made) is a great achievement and is among my top favorite wines from Andrea Cortonesi tasted in the 20 or so years I have followed this estate. There is a lot of power here, thanks to that golden Castelnuovo dell'Abate sunshine, so I cannot liken this wine to some of the more ethereal and delicate expressions that I also love. Instead, this Riserva delivers brawn, dark fruit and muscle, but it does so with sincerity and honesty. You can't help but appreciate the complexity on offer. The wine offers plenty of dark fruit, but you also get licorice, balsam herb and crushed limestone. There is a lot of beauty to admire.

The 2015 Riserva is selected from the oldest vines of the estate and spent 42 months in French and Slovenian oak of various sizes. The nose is forward, with a somewhat modern sensibility, noted by vanilla bean and cedar wrapping around ripe, concentrated black plum fruit. The palate is full and opulent, with a more serious tannin structure, while its fruit is warming and speaks to the vintage without being overblown. Overall, this is a very expressive, ripe wine for those who love a slightly more luxurious style. It will need time in the cellar to harmonize with the oak and I believe it will benefit those who lay this down and allow it to settle into itself for 5-15 years.