The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is terrific. Freshly cut roses, sweet red fruits, tobacco and licorice emerge gracefully from this refined, utterly impeccable Brunello. Sweet, elegant tannins frame the fruit beautifully through to the finish. The 2005 Riserva remains a typical, mineral-laced, taut wine from the northern district. Its potential for continued positive development in bottle seems excellent. The estate gave the Riserva 40 months in oak. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. This is another solid set of wines from Canalicchio di Sopra – Ripaccioli, an estate that continues to ratchet up quality in a meaningful way. Importer: Vinifera Imports, Ronkonkoma, NY; tel. (631) 467-5907

This is spicy in style, with vanilla, cedar and clove aromas and flavors accenting a core of cherry and tobacco. In the end, there's a purity to the fruit, but it needs time to find its balance. Structured and long. Best from 2014 through 2027. 420 cases made, 100 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

3 This is a very pleasurable, smooth and rich Riserva that lavishes layers of chocolate fudge, vanilla bean and bright cherry. Overall, it shows good intensity and smooth consistency.——M.L.(4/1/2011)—— 93