2016 Brunello di Montalcino, Riserva, La Magia, Tuscany, Italy

Dark and youthfully inward, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva lifts up to show spiced plums and cherries in an air of crushed rocks, smoke, undergrowth and tar. The textures here are elegant to the extreme, velvety-smooth and weighty in feel, yet suspended by a core of brisk acidity. A densely packed wave of mineral-encased black fruits and spices saturates all that it touches, leaving a lasting layer of fine-grained tannins. The finale is dramatically long and structured, offering balsam herbs and hints of licorice and black currant. La Magia sources their Riserva from a parcel planted within their vineyards in 1974. It refines for 42 months in new 500-liter French tonneaux, which, in the case of the 2016, has integrated very well. The future is bright here, though patience is necessary.eric_guido, Vinous.com.com (December 2021)

Second-generation winemaker Fabian Schwarz has been at the helm at La Magia since 2011. He prefers spontaneous fermentations with some whole berries, long macerations and ageing in barriques. Understated yet gorgeous, aromas start with cedar and pine then progress into liquorice and thyme. Dense and concentrated, this is a mouthful - though not heavy. The vintage’s brilliantly emphatic acidity shines through, and new oak is well-absorbed by luscious cherry. Its sweet tannins are smooth, long and polished. Nevertheless, this could do with a couple of years in the cellar. Drinking Window 2024 – 2040Michaela Morris, Decanter (November 2021)

Extremely fresh and floral with clear blackberry and violet aromas that follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a long, linear finish. Purity, depth and structure to this. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but give it three or four years to soften.”james_suckling, jamessuckling_com (November 2021)