This 2019 Brunello di Montalcino from discovery series is a serious wine! It opens with a complex and alluring nose of sour cherry, new leather, and a hint of dried herbs. The first sip reveals a powerful core of red plum and black cherry fruit, framed by assertive, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Possessing significant aging potential, this wine is built for the cellar and will reward patience as it evolves over the next 15 to 20 years but surprisingly shows good even you have it now. Its immense structure is beautifully balanced, keeping the concentrated power in check. The finish is exceptionally long and persistent, echoing notes of dried earth and sweet tobacco.

That burnished, almost orange hue instantly catches the eye in glass - a sign that this Brunello has a rebellious side. On the palate it's elegant and finely tuned, with bright acidity giving lift to it's delicate frame. What it lacks in weight it makes up for in precision and poise, showing a graceful side of Montalcino that's often overlooked. A quietly confident Brunello that proves power isn't everything.

This is the second wine that I tasted from our Discovery Series Italian selections. Like the first one, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, it combines excellent quality with a very affordable price. The nice thing about this particular release is that it quite supple and drinkable so early on. Dark and ripe cherry fruit dominate throughout, with very clean oak, dried orange peel and warm savory herbs. There is a very nice clean and brightish finish with a lightly salted tanginess. Mellow enough to drink now but, it should also age very well for years to come. This is a bottling that should appeal to many different kinds of Brunello enthusiasts.