2006 Caprili, Brunello di Montalcino, Reserva, Tuscan Red, Italy.
The rich and powerful Caprili Reserva Brunello is just entering it’s prime phase, though it will certainly last for another 10 to 15 years without a problem, maybe longer, such is the life force in this Italian red. I’ve tasted Caprili since the late 1990’s and they’ve always offered a solid wine, especially the normale Brunello and their Rosso di Montalcino, both of which deliver a big bang for the buck, but the Reserva is much rarer and dearer, and while not cheap it still represents a good value in it’s class. The full bodied 2006 Reserva is a stunning wine at the moment and will only get better, it begins with flamboyant presence and deep fruit, the color is dark garnet with just a hint ruby/orange at the edges and layers of dried flowers, savory herbs, spice and liqueur emerge from the glass before of a cascade of flavors unfold on the firmly tannic palate. The core is a mix of berry fruits along with plum and black cherry, but there is more than fruit in this intense Sangiovese Grosso, it also brings on sweet tobacco leaf, anise, cedar and Bordeaux like mineral/graphite elements as well. This Brunello Reserva is vigorous and vivid with just the right amount of wood accents and it shows a very controlled structure, while still being full of pleasure and is a very joyous experience, finishing with sexy earthy tones, incense, blackberry essence and a hint of vanilla, this wine will not disappoint, drink from 2017 to 2028, this is impressive stuff that is just starting to hit it’s stride.
($90 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive