Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne, Siro Pacenti 2012

Aromas of ripe fruit such as sweet strawberries and hints of orange peel and chocolate. Medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Riper style. Drink or hold.

Tasted blind. Lustrous mid ruby. Rich but still a little reductive. The palate is in the grip of this, too, for the moment, but underneath there is truly compact, rich, tangy cherry with lots of demanding tannins and a wonderful, subtle oak note.

Giancarlo Pacenti knows his land well and is a skillful farmer, especially with regards to navigating a challenging vintage like this. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne boasts a beautifully saturated ruby color that appears healthy and bright. The aromas are presented with precision and balance. A wine like this offers irrefutable evidence that old vines are the best remedy in a hot and dry vintage. The wine's various elements are intact and focused. Dark cherry, candied plum, exotic spice, tar and licorice form a united front. I prefer this vintage to 2011. Drink 2017-2027.