BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

The 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows cherry and plum sauce, lifted by sweet sage and mint, yet still quite rich and intense. With time, it dips down to earth with a mix of flowery undergrowth and wet stone. It’s velvety and weighty, yet a core of stimulating acidity and inner spice saturates the palate as dark red fruits penetrate deeply. Though still lightly structured, the 2007 is drinking beautifully today, showing only a hint of its maturity through a nuance of crushed fall leaves. A resonating note of licorice lingers incredibly long. Drinking range: 2021 - 2029 Rating: 95 Eric Guido, www.vinous.com (Jan 2022)

We reviewed this very fine Brunello di Montalcino two-and-a-half years ago, giving it 94 points, but we thought it would be interesting to see how it's developed – and logically enough it's now a much more relaxed and savoury experience, the 'autumnal undergrowth' character we identified back then now moving more into focus, but that deliciously à point fruit concentration still evident in the squirt of juicy red cherry fruit. A fine wine that will continue to improve for at least another decade. Rating: 94 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Mar 2017)

When we reviewed this Riserva a couple of years ago, we were struck by its elegance, particularly from a full-bodied, ripe vintage. We were just as struck this time. There's no shortage of power and intensity in the sweet, dried red-berry and autumnal undergrowth flavours and no shortage of tannin for the future, but there's a finesse that lifts this to another level. Rating: 94 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Oct 2016)

Mature, evolved ruby. Lots of complexity and herbs and tar. Real intensity and wonderful lift. Great to have the chance to taste such a mature example. Really quite rich for Fuligni! Bittersweet memories of visiting here with the late Patrick Sandeman. Drinking range: 2015 - 2030 Rating: 17.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Sept 2016)

The finest 2007 Brunellos from high ground, like this one, balance ripe and savoury hawthorn berries with intense and very clearly defined, slim tannins. Brilliant. Drink 2014 - 2022 Rating: 96 Monty Waldin (Sept 2014)

Fuligni's 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is simply stunning. Still deeply-colored, the 2007 continues to grow with time in bottle. Rose petals, sweet tobacco, mint, juicy cherries and pomegranate abound in a dark, voluptuous wine endowed with tons of depth and pure richness. This is a fabulous showing. Drinking range: 2015 - 2027 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (May 2014)

Fuligni's 2007 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva captures the richness of the vintage while maintaining plenty of classicism in its structure. Tar, smoke, tobacco, savory herbs and incense emerge from the exotic, highly expressive bouquet. Layers of red fruit build effortlessly through to a deeply resonant finish. The 2007 has wonderful richness, but at the same time, it is clearly holding back some of its significant potential. Overall, this is one of the best of the 2007 Riservas. 2014-2027 Rating: 94+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Nov 2013)

(14.5% alcohol): Bright red with an amber edge. Vibrant, enticing aromas of red cherry, redcurrant, minerals, cinnamon and aromatic herbs. Fresh and clean, with ripe flavors of red cherry, aromatic herbs and sandalwood carrying through to a long, bright, flinty finish. Smooth tannins and zippy acidity extend the flavors on the back. Sneaky concentration here--and a good deal fresher than many other 2007 riserve. Anyone who loves minerally, graceful Brunellos has to try Fuligni's wines. Rating: 92 Ian d'Agata, www.vinousmedia.com (Jul 2013)

Like Conti Costanti next door, Fuligni has made a fantastic 2007 Riserva, suggesting that the vintage conditions really suited this classic corner of Montalcino. This is a denser wine than the Costanti, with powerful, yet integrated tannins, notes of truffle, autumn leaves and mushrooms and plenty of ripe fruit. It’s a powerful wine all right, but it has remarkable grace and persistence, too. Drink: 2017-28 Rating: 96 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Mar 2013)

Mid ruby with narrow orange rim. Hints of tobacco leaf, but otherwise quite backward on the nose. Not so on the palate. Quite full bodied with dense, mouthfilling fruit. Big. 2013-2020 Rating: 16.5 Walter Speller, www.jancisrobinson.com (Jan 2013)