2013 Salvioni Cerbaiola, Brunello di Montalcino, Bottle (750mL)

VM96 Luminous full red. The lively, perfumed nose combines red cherry, blueberry, minerals and flinty aromas. Rich and densely packed, showing captivating peppery lift to the very ripe red and blue fruit flavors. I distinctly remember just how deceptively accessible this was when I tasted it with Alessia Salvioni in her small cellar in downtown Montalcino back in February 2017; it has continued to develop nicely since then and really showcases the depth, solid structure and length to support a long, graceful evolution in bottle. Knockout Brunello from one of the quality leaders of Montalcino (and Italy, for that matter).
DR96 Salvioni's La Cerbaiola property is in the southeast of Montalcino, at an average altitude of 440 metres on galestro soil. It is divided into three plots totalling less than 4ha. In 2013, the estate only made Brunello (no Rosso), for a total of 12,000 bottles. This wine does not disappoint, but you will need to wait for its charms to be revealed. For now, it flirts with hints of orange peel and pomegranate. Resolute tannins and succulent acidity carry though to a sappy, balsam finish that promises much more to come.