The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino takes its time opening in the glass, as a charming mix of crushed violets, dusty lavender and black currants form its understated bouquet. It’s soft-textured and round on the palate, with potent red fruits and cooling mineral tones that give way to a slight herbal-peppery tinge toward the close.

This finishes grippy and savory in style, yet with residual acids that help to maintain fantastic balance, as blue- and purple-tinged inner florals slowly fade. The 2018 is an understated beauty, yet it will require patience to come fully into focus.