1988 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva "La Storica"

Vivid ruby with a slightly orange rim, the 1988 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica lifts from the glass with a wonderfully mature bouquet, blending steeped plums and blood orange with lifting hints of mint and sweet spice. This is amazingly fresh, fleshy and round yet propelled by a core of brisk acidity as masses of ripe red fruits envelope the palate. The finish is long and staining while maintaining amazing energy, tapering off with just a hint of fine tannin and a dried strawberry resonance that slowly fades. Harmonious is the word that comes to mind while tasting this cool-toned beauty. This is a stellar La Storica release that should not be missed.

- Eric Guido (02/2024)

Aromas of antique furniture, spice, dried flowers and some dried cherries. Cooking spices, too. Medium-bodied, chewy and extracted, but it’s exciting to taste it with the chewiness that gives tension and focus. Spicy at the end, like nutmeg and cinnamon. Entrancing finish. Re-release March 2024. Drink or hold. (09/2023)

A garnet color that’s similar to the 2018 in terms of its richness, the 1988 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva has incredible aromas of raspberry leather and leaps from the glass with layered notes of leather, wild herbs, rosemary, crushed stones, and flint. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied, structured, and vibrant, with angular, bright acidity. The highly perfumed aromatics are fantastic, so the nose is the winner here, but it’s spritely on the palate, salty, and bright with elegant acidity. It might not be the most powerful wine, but it has a lot of pleasure to offer now and over the next several years. (02/2024)