Luciani Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2013

2013 is an incredible vintage for Tuscany’s storied Brunello di Montalcino. In fact, Wine Enthusiast writes, “If you want to experience the energy, elegance, and ageworthy structure that first drew wine lovers and collectors to Brunello di Montalcino decades ago, then 2013 is your vintage.”

And we’re bringing you one of the real gems from this historic harvest, which sports 91 Wine Enthusiast points, 93 points from critic Robert Parker, and a 94-point score from expert James Suckling:

“This has attractive, bright, red-cherry and raspberry aromas leading to a palate that offers a plush, ripe and sweet core of fleshy raspberry flavors, cast amid a fine, chalky tannin bed. Fresh, plum-stone finish. Drink or hold.”

The estate, Cantine Luciani, is located mere yards from ultra-premium Biondi Santi (whose 2013 Brunello Riserva fetches $199+ a bottle). The Luciani family have been crafting fine Brunello here since 1888 – and they’re especially proud of their gorgeously complex 2013 Riserva.

Made with vigna vecchia (old-vine) Sangiovese Grosso (the region’s unique grape clone renowned for bringing a certain richness, intensity and complexity to wine) and aged 48 months in fine oak barrels, it’s a perfect example of everything critics love about this special year. And, like all fine-caliber Brunello Riservas, it’s very age-worthy, with a decade of pleasure (or more) ahead of it – though, as Suckling points out, you can enjoy it right now.

Look for glints of garnet color in the glass, then prepare for Brunello’s trademark perfume of ethereal spices and hints of red berries. Smooth, complex flavors of clove, violet and intense dark fruits follow. This is begging to be sipped with a special dinner – we suggest pepper-crusted New York strips topped with aged Asiago cheese shavings. We also suggest you Add to Cart soon to avoid missing out on this fantastic taste of such a historic vintage.