For Brunello di Montalcino, 2015 was a legendary year. Fortunately, 2016 seems to have provided a great sequel. The weather in Tuscany is the source of the quality of this vintage. Winter was mild, spring was cool and rainy, and summer was hot and dry. Reviewer James Suckling has given three 2016 Brunello wines perfect 100 scores and handed out 98s or 99s to nine others. The 2016 wines are more tannic and less fruit-forward than those from 2015, which means better aging potential. Consider using a professional storage facility until they reach their peak. When ready, the wines go best with red meat, tomato dishes, and cheeses such as provolone or pecorino.
Key Takeaways:
- Weather conditions in Tuscany produced a vintage with powerful structure and exceptional tannins.
- James Suckling gave scores of 98 or higher to a dozen wines from the vintage.
- The acidity and tannin levels mean the 2016 Brunellos are likely to have more longevity than the 2015s.
“All great sequels do two things: they maintain the high quality of the original, and they stand on their own as something unique, and perhaps something better.”
