Stephen Brook | Closed on the nose, with very subdued fruit in the background. Fresh and bright attack, but there’s good concentration here and ample tannic structure. There’s an attractive velvety sheen to the palate, but the acidity seems on the modest side. Perhaps this is small-boned for Brunello, but it has elegance and poise and a long finish. | 91

Andrew Jefford | Dark, limpid black-red. Slightly sugar-sweet fruits, but attractive as such. Lots of sweet plum: round and enticing. On the palate, the fruit is a little drier than expected, with some sinew to it and ample tannin. Indeed, I like the palate more than I expected from the almost over-flattering nose; it’s textured, driving, and long. This is for the mid-term rather than the long, but it will provide much mealtime pleasure: serious, grippy, well hewn. | 89

Michael Palij | Appealing nose, with morello cherry, blackcurrant, red plum, sandalwood, orange peel, cinnamon, and subtle cedar notes. On the palate, the high levels of tannins are balanced by fine acidity and concentrated fruit. It’s a close-run thing, but I fear that the tannins may outlive the fruit. On the other hand, they may just resolve themselves. This score reflects the ambiguity, and it may warrant an extra few points in due course. | 94