Lisini Brunello di Montalcino Italy 2018 (14% ABV) – 87.3
BB | Garnet to pink. Restrained and elegant on the nose, with small red fruits, blood oranges, aromatic herbs, crushed stones, and black truffle. Medium- to full-bodied, layered, black-fruit palate, with big, fine tannins and a long, clean, herbal finish. Classic Sangiovese for the cellar. 93
MP | Very powerful nose, with intense notes of black fruit including black cherry, plum, and currant. A herbaceous note of tomato leaf and straw combines with sawdust and coconut. On the palate, this is attenuated and wildly overoaked, with an extracted, phenolic, resinous character that robs the wine of any drive. Short and simple. 88
AJ | Clear, dark black-red. Warm, vivid, and energetic: a round ball of fruit, with lots of inner force and some vegetal notes, too. Almost a sticky, must-like note too. Less fragrant and fine-grained than many, but compensates with its exuberance. Vivid and long, but the fruit isn't impeccable and there are some bitter notes that detract from the aesthetic profile. Drinkable but a little stolid and unpolished. 81