Black-cherry, ash, bark and dried dark-mushroom aromas follow through to a medium to full body with a solid sense of tannin and acidity. Polished and focused. Needs time to soften a bit, but shows fascinating oyster-shell and iodine undertones. Best in three or four years.

This red is packed with black cherry, blackberry, black currant, iron, tobacco and earthy tea flavors. Both lush and powerful, with great persistence on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2025 through 2045. 4,600 cases made, 1,600 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura (with 51,200 bottles made) shows balance and ripeness with a good combination of cherry, wild plum, blue flower, tobacco and sweet earth. The outlier is the 15% alcohol content. The wine is generous in texture and scope, yet it ultimately feels light and accessible to the palate. The tannins are well managed, but the wine's ample fruit weight feels supple and rich. These glass bottles are on the heavy side, with 51,200 of them released.

This brawny red is marked by leather, earth, plum and sanguine notes, with vibrant acidity keeping things focused and fresh. Muscular tannins underline everything, yet this is balanced and long. Best from 2025 through 2040. 2,782 cases made, 160 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Brunello di Montalcino Select to Add

The Castello Banfi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura brings that primary intensity up a notch, and the wine shows nicely integrated aromas of spice, cedar, tar and tobacco. The emphasis here is on freshness and linearity—Poggio alle Mura is also distinguished by the sharpness of its fruit—but you get more fruit weight here and a longer, more determined level of power on the lengthy close. Again, the alcohol content of the wine is very high (at 15.5%) in this 33,992-bottle release.