The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is deep, textured and impeccably balanced. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, crushed rocks and spices blossom in the glass. Here, too, the overall sense of harmony is utterly captivating. A gorgeous wine, the 2008 stands out for its exceptional polish. The style is a bit deeper, richer and more layered than the Pelagrilli, but at the same time remains deeply marked by the prevalence of fruit from the northern side of Montalcino. In 2008 Pacenti lost about a third of his production from the south, which means this is are vintage in which the Brunello incorporated more fruit from the north than the south, roughly a 60/40 split. This is a fabulous effort in a vintage that proved to be full of challenges. Score: 95 Points Antonio Galloni

Magnificently elegant with a pure bouquet of sweet cherries intermingled with dried savoury fruits and a hint of graphite, this wine has the potential to age for twenty years or more. The palate is multi-layered with a fine mineral structure which provides superb definition on the long finish. Aged for 24 months in french oak with a long period in bottle before release, this is a superbly pure and complex Brunello. Drink 2015 ? 2035.