The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, licorice and spices all wrapped around a sensual, elegant frame of notable class. Considerable aeration is needed to bring out the wine’s depth and textural richness. This is an excellent wine, but more often than not I am attracted more to the straight Brunello here, as is the case again in 2006. Costanti gave the 2006 Riserva 36 months in oak, 18 months in medium-sized barrels followed by 18 months in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. These are two beautiful Brunelli from Andrea Costanti, one of the few producers who has had the skill to give his wines a little extra polish without abandoning what is essentially a traditional style. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900