New leather, truffle, sun-baked soil, menthol and grilled herb aromas practically jump out of the glass. The big, chewy palate delivers mature wild cherry, black raspberry, licorice and tobacco notes, set against a backdrop of firm, fine-grained tannins. Drink 2020–2027.

Macerated cherry and plum flavors mingle with iron, meat, eucalyptus and tobacco flavors in this dense, beefy red. Compact, leaving a bitter almond note on the finish, yet staying fresh. Best from 2020 through 2032. 16,000 cases made. –BS

The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino offers an authentic interpretation of this celebrated appellation in southern Tuscany. The bouquet is rich and sophisticated with candied cherry, dried currant and spice. I tasted this wine very soon after its commercial release and it took a little while open. It showed a point of reduction well. Give the glass a few vigorous swirls and the wine begins to peel back. Varietal aromas of moist earth, button mushroom, grilled herb and blue flower ultimately add to the wine's timid complexity. Give this wine two or three years to flesh out. - Monica Larner