The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is a dark beauty, impressing with its youthful poise but also its potential. Mint leaf and a dusting of cedar give way to crushed stone, wild strawberry and hints of flowery undergrowth. There are depths of velvety textures and polished red/black fruits, which create a sense of elegance; yet you can feel that there are layers here which are currently unseen. A complex web of fine tannins and minerals penetrate deeply, just as brisk acids and remnants of tart woodland berries fight to remain prevalent; yet all that remains is a hint of licorice. Wow.

The 2016 Ugolforte Brunello has aromas of black raspberry, violets, and dusty earth. The palate is inviting with ripe cherry fruit, licorice, dried herbs, and fine-grained tannins. This will certainly be a fun property to watch and there is an elegance to the 2016 that I feel is a wonderful introduction to the new ownership. Drink 2022-2035.

This red is fresh, with pure black cherry fruit accented by licorice, earth, tobacco and spice notes. Firmly structured yet more sleek than dense, thanks to a brisk acidity, the lingering tannins are offset by an echo of ripe fruit. Best from 2024 through 2045. 4,000 cases made, 750 cases imported.

Blue-flower, star anise, coffee- bean and crushed mint aromas take shape in the glass. On the austere, linear palate, taut, close-grained tannins accompany sour cherry, blood orange and licorice while firm acidity keeps it light on its feet. Drink 2024-2031.