Distant notes of roasted almond, campfire and cigar box give this wine a spicy, dusty personality. This is a very interesting wine: It's lean and not overtly intense but it does deliver supple and delicate fruit aromas that come forward in measured but consistent pulses. A touch of sour cherry marks the bright close.

A juicy, immediate wine, the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino impresses for its inner perfume and overall harmony. Cloves, menthol, licorice and tar are some of the notes that meld together as the wine opens up. In this vintage, the volatile acidity that is sometimes present is more pronounced than usual because the wine lacks its customary depth. Hints of hard candy, flowers and mint linger on the racy finish. Overall, this is a solid effort from Poggio di Sotto. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. - AG