Talenti, Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) 2015

 The warm and dry 2015 growing season in Brunello was the opposite of the cool and rainy weather of 2014.  That weather explains the potential pitfalls for the wines — ripe and alcoholic with low acidity.  Talenti avoided those problems with their 2015 Brunello.  Ripe, yet not overdone, it conveys a near magical combination of dark minerals and black cherry-like fruitiness.  Graceful and powerful, it finishes fresh and lively with an attractive hint of bitterness.  Its succulence allows current enjoyment, but a few years in the cellar will likely reveal additional complexity.