The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino from Palazzo opens up with a bouquet that is firmly rooted in the earth, showing hints of animal musk, dark soil and hints of sage, giving way to smoky minerals, cedar and notes of black cherry. On the palate, soft, enveloping textures, are contrasted by a sweet and sour expression of red fruits with a spiced-citrus twang, as zesty acids make the mouth water, while a mix of minerals and grippy tannin slowly mount. The finish is long, with a tannic tug offset by citrus-kissed acidity, along with lingering red berry fruit and spice. It's hard not to like this vintage of Palazzo, with its near-term appeal, tactile tannic heft, and edge of rusticity, which blends the best of both vivid fruit and earth. It should excel in the cellar over the coming decade, as a bottle left open over the course of two days seemed to only get better and better.

The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino doesn't take too long to open in the glass, and once it does, it shows a nice mix of fruit and oak spice. The fruit is delivered in simple waves of blackberry and summer cherry, and there are layers of toasted nut, baking spice, dark licorice and cola. This effort feels appropriately ripe and opulent for a sunny-vintage Brunello. In preparation for its 15% alcohol content, preheat your oven for a hearty beef Wellington. Some 13,000 bottles were rolled out.

Aromas of exotic spice, blue flower and menthol waft out of the glass. Ripe and chewy, the full-bodied palate shows dried cherry, orange zest and dried mint set against tightly wound close-grained tannins that leave a firm finish.