Luminous dark red. Floral, fragrant coffee and cocoa notes complement red berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Clean, fresh and pure on the palate, this smooth, medium-bodied, suave Brunello finishes long and perfumed. Its refined personality reflects the northeastern quadrant of Montalcino where the grapes grow, and the Comunali area in particular, one of Montalcino's highest-quality and most interesting subzones. Palazzo is an estate that many in Montalcino say is worth watching and I have to say I agree: the wines appear to be improving year after year and the two wines I tasted this year were among the stars of my Montalcino tasting this year.

Aromas of wild berry, forest floor and a whiff of thyme lift out of the glass. The concentrated palate offers dried black cherry, chewing tobacco and star anise alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2023-2030.

I had varying degrees of cork taint in both my samples, and that's why there is a question mark next to my score. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a deep, inky appearance with dark fruit tones of dried blackberry and black currant. There is a note of sweetness on the close with cured tobacco and aged leather. The finish ends on a bitter or sour note.