2008 Pian dell'Orino, Brunello di Montalcino

Captures this vintage’s cool spring then blindingly sunny autumn. An intense perfume of mint and cranberry, delicately layered tannins, it is creamy with beautiful defined fruit dripping with ripe precision.
Tasted by Monty Waldin
Part of The best Brunello di Montalcino wines: Expert reviews

(14.5% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Knockout nose combines red berries, vanilla, red licorice and sandalwood. Bright and fresh in the mouth, with penetrating flavors of sweet red cherry, strawberry, marzipan and candied violet. A laser beam of acidity keeps the extremely pure floral red berry flavors light and lively. This really resonates on the perfumed, sweet aftertaste. To take a page out of the French wine playbook, this marvelous Brunello magically combines Burgundian perfume with Bordeaux tannins and structure.

One of the very best wines of the year, Pian dell'Orino's 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, cloves, menthol, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that are woven into fabric of superb elegance and finesse. All the elements are in perfect balance in this utterly harmonious Brunello. Deeply layered and spiced throughout, the 2008 is simply stunning. The 2008 isn't as explosive as the very best vintages, but it is still a remarkable achievement for the year. Hints of orange peel and cloves add an exotic flair on the finish. This is a dazzling effort.

(14.5% alcohol): Bright red-ruby. Knockout nose combines red berries, vanilla, red licorice and sandalwood. Bright and fresh in the mouth, with penetrating flavors of sweet red cherry, strawberry, marzipan and candied violet. A laser beam of acidity keeps the extremely pure floral red berry flavors light and lively. This really resonates on the perfumed, sweet aftertaste. To take a page out of the French wine playbook, this marvelous Brunello magically combines Burgundian perfume with Bordeaux tannins and structure. (94+ points - Ian D'Agata)

One of the very best wines of the year, Pian dell’Orino’s 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, cloves, menthol, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that are woven into fabric of superb elegance and finesse. All the elements are in perfect balance in this utterly harmonious Brunello. Deeply layered and spiced throughout, the 2008 is simply stunning. The 2008 isn’t as explosive as the very best vintages, but it is still a remarkable achievement for the year. Hints of orange peel and cloves add an exotic flair on the finish. This is a dazzling effort. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. (Antonio Galloni)