A taster would never know that the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino hailed from a warm vintage, with its bright and airy bouquet that blends mentholated herbs with exotic spice, worn leather and dusty dried strawberries. This coasts across the palate with ease, zesty and fresh, with tart red berries and sour citrus tones that add tension, yet also maintains a marvelous vibrancy. While long and gently structured still, there’s a finesse here that keeps me looking back to the glass for more, as the 2012 leaves the mouth watering with a tart cherry pit twang. Production was down around 30% in 2012, with a strict selection in the vineyards and a much earlier harvest that ended around September 15th. While drinking this today is certainly an option, there are still many years of evolution in store. 95 points