Il Poggiolo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2015

 It is undoubtedly true that the gloriously, historically great 2016 vintage for Brunello, Barolo and Barbaresco will forever overshadow the excellent 2015 vintage wines that were made in these three great growing regions in Italy, but savvy buyers will look for excellent examples from this vintage.  This wine is among them.  It shows the ripeness of the year without any raisin-y characteristics, which is the dividing line that separates the excellent 2015s from the lesser examples.  The ripeness — as well as the long aging that comes with the Riserva vinification regimen — shows in the forms of textural softness, emerging (but not assertive) leathery and balsamic notes, and ripe Sangiovese Grosso fruit recalling delicious black cherries first and foremost.  The wood is totally absorbed so that it lends some spiciness at an almost sub-sensory level, without any overt obtrusiveness.  Delicious now, this can surely get a bit better with time, but there’s no reason not to pull the cork now.