Gianni Brunelli Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2006

Coming from an iconic vintage that has aged with remarkable grace, this Riserva is the late Gianni Brunelli’s legacy in a bottle. It’s a wine for the traditionalists, those who want their Brunello to have soul, structure, and a bit of that wild Tuscan grit.

This isn’t a shy wine. Even after nearly two decades, it hits the glass with a deep, focused energy. On the nose, it’s a heady mix of dark cherries, incense, and tobacco, pinned down by that classic forest floor earthiness that makes Montalcino so evocative.

Palate: Taut and powerful. It’s got that big stick energy—restrained at first, but expanding into layers of leather, grilled herbs, and plum.

Structure: The tannins are massive but have softened into a silky, suede-like texture, backed by the kind of vibrant acidity that keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy.

Finish: It lingers. We’re talking minutes, not seconds, of lingering cedar and dried flowers.

This is at a beautiful peak right now. If you’re cracking this open tonight, give it a good 60-90 minutes in the decanter. It’s starting to show those gorgeous tertiary notes of chocolate and savory spice that only time can provide.