Brunello di Montalcino, Azienda Agricola Caprili 2016

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino makes a great first impression thanks to the purity and intensity of the fruit. Those two things—purity and intensity—can sometimes be uncomfortable bedfellows, but this expression from Caprili unites them in happy marriage. The bouquet opens to bright red fruit, cola, chopped mint and blue flower. There is a lot of beautiful energy on hand. The wine is smooth and silky, giving it both near and long-term appeal. This is a 45,000-bottle release. 2024-2040

Plenty of floral and plum character with some sour-cherry and smoke undertones. It’s full and chewy, yet polished and proper. Chewy at the end, suggesting that two or three years of bottle age will soften it and bring it together. Try after 2024.