Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2014 Caparzo

The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino is a ripe and nicely balanced effort from a vintage that threw its share of curveballs at producers. The wine rises above those difficulties, showing clearly delineated tones of cherry, plum and spice. It is crisp and lean in terms of mouthfeel, with the shallow depth of flavors that is definitely characteristic of the 2014 vintage. This easy-drinking Brunello ages in traditional oak casks (made with Slavonian oak) for two years. Production is very generous with 160,000 bottles made.

I tasted both the 2014 Brunello di Montalcino and the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva as IGT Toscana samples. In other words, I tasted them before the wines were officially registered by the appellation authorities. I suppose you could call them unfinished samples, but in reality, the wines had already been bottled and had finished their aging process. This explains why I gave them final scores.

Aromas of dark fruit, dried leaves and hints of cedar follow through to a medium to full body, a solid core of fruit and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little hollow in the center palate, but delivers high quality for the vintage. Give it a year or two to fill in. Drink in 2020.

Bright, with cherry and raspberry fruit, this Brunello is elegant and charming. Accents of mineral and peppery greens—arugula, mizuna—develop on the lingering aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2032.

Bright red. Very fresh, perfumed aromas and flavors of red cherry, strawberry, cinnamon, candied violet and underbrush. Smooth tannins provide a medium-bodied spine to the refined mouthfeel. Finishes long with lingering perfume. Outstanding balance and a truly lovely Brunello in the style of the cool year.