Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2012

Brunello di Montalcino is often a lesson in patience, but this 2012 Riserva from the women-led Tenuta di Collosorbo is showing a remarkably generous side right now. While many Riservas require a decade just to say “hello,” this bottling—born from a warm, sun-drenched vintage—is already singing with a plush, accessible character that’s hard to resist.

The Ciacci family, who have tended these lands in the southern reaches of Montalcino since the 1850s, treat their Sangiovese with a mix of reverence and minimalist restraint. This Riserva is a meticulous selection of the estate’s oldest, best-exposed vines. After a long soak on the skins and three and a half years resting in a combination of Slavonian and French oak, the wine has emerged with a texture that is nothing short of velvet.

On the nose, it’s a classic Tuscan landscape in a glass: dried cherries, balsamic herbs, and new leather, with a subtle hint of tobacco and spice that only comes with extended time in the cellar. The palate is full-bodied and rich, yet it maintains that essential Brunello lift—a vibrant acidity that keeps the ripe fruit from feeling heavy. It’s a deep, penetrating red that balances power with a sleek, polished finish.

Whether you’re looking to elevate a Sunday roast or simply want to experience a benchmark Sangiovese at its peak, this is a bottle that delivers. It has the structure to continue evolving for years, but if you’re pulling the cork tonight, just give it a short decant to let those forest-floor aromas really take flight.