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Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 vintage report and top-scoring wines

'The best examples capture the vintage’s depth, sophistication and vitality without being weighed down or too forceful,' says Michaela Morris who recently tasted more than 40 new Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 releases.

Mother Nature was kind to Montalcino in 2016. The growing season was warm and dry with well-timed sprinkles of rain. Crucially, significant temperature differences between day and night allowed for long, slow and simultaneous ripening of sugars and polyphenols.

In the glass, the annata Brunello exhibited transparency, balance, raciness and beautifully formed tannins with ability to age.


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the best Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 wines


High expectations

With all the deserved praise, the obvious assumption was that Montalcino’s producers would be unanimous in their decision to release a 2016 Riserva. Opinions, however, were clearly divided. This speaks equally to varying philosophies as it does to the diversity of the region.


Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016: top wines

View all 43 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 wines, plus two late releases, tasted for this report


See Michaela’s accompanying Brunello di Montalcino 2017 report

View all Tuscany vintage reports

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