Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio all'Oro Banfi 2015 (1.5L)

96 points, Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “The Castello Banfi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio all'Oro is the top-shelf wine and shows careful integration and well-managed intensity. It opens to tart berry fruit, cassis and sour cherry. As it reveals itself in the glass, it begins to slowly deliver more spice, smoke and tar. All these various elements come together with balance and harmony, although these 2015 Riservas remain plumper and richer compared to their counterparts from 2016. Wait a few more years before opening this bottle; it needs more time. Some 27,000 bottles were made, and this wine will be released in September 2021.” 11/20

93 points, Eric Guido, Vinous: “The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio all'Oro Riserva takes some time to open up in the glass, as a cloud of white smoke and subtle spice slowly dissipates. A few minutes of coaxing reveals dried black cherries, sweet flowery perfumes and hints of tobacco. There are depths of dark textures here, silky in feel but with a blanket of fine-grained tannins, which slowly dominate the expression. That said, there’s a lovely purity to its fruit, along with tactile minerality and mounting inner florals, giving way to a classically structured finish. The Poggio all'Oro is a cru within the Banfi vineyards, and the wine is aged 30% in barrique and 70% in French oak casks of 60-90 hectoliters for 30 months. It’s really quite beautiful and wonderfully balanced.” 10/20

95 points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com: “Mixed-cherry, floral and crushed-stone aromas. Full-bodied with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Linear and tight with a line of fine tannins that holds this all together. Iodine and mushroom notes come through. Try after 2023.” 11/20

94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator: “Balsamic notes of pine, tobacco and Scotch broom gain the upper hand over the strawberry and cherry fruit in this red, at present. Tightly wound, an intense core of fruit persists through the mostly savory finish. Best from 2025 through 2045. 70 cases imported.” 06/21

96 points, Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast: “Forest-floor, new leather and pipe-tobacco aromas mingle with notes of violet and coffee bean. Elegantly structured, the taut, savory palate doles out ripe black cherry, blackberry jam, licorice and a hint of espresso while polished, fine-grained tannins and tangy acidity provide age-worthy support. It's still youthfully austere so give it a few more years to come around. Drink 2024–2036.” 05/21