The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth. Plums, smoke, licorice, tobacco and mocha all develop in the glass. The 2007 gives the impression of being shaped a little more by the oak because of its voluptuous texture. A huge, explosive finish rounds things out nicely. This is an especially bombastic, rich wine for Costanti, but it is also quite fine and loaded with personality. There is plenty of pedigree in the glass. Still, more often than not, I find myself gravitating towards the straight Brunello bottling here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027. 94 points from Robert Parker, The Wine AdvocateWinery Notes:The production of a Reserve, as we have been taught by Franco Biondi Santi, is part of the tradition of Brunello di Montalcino, more than the cru or single-vineyard wines.Given that Brunello is an extremely important wine, when I decide to make a Reserve I always have to be sure that what I have is outstanding, absolutely fabulous: the best Brunello in an exceptional year, one of those that occur about three times in each decade.A Reserve must also be seen as a Brunello with a very long cellar-life, a wine capable of ageing for decades. Consequently, a young Brunello Reserve is always much more tannic and characterised by greater acidity, requiring a certain number of years of bottle-ageing. Ageing:48 months. 18 months in tonneaux, 18 months in Slavonian oak wooden barrels and 12 months in bottle.
