The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Buche delle Fate pulls the taster close to the glass to take in its beguiling blend of autumnal spices, balsam herbs, cedar shavings and dried black cherries. This is a model of elegance, rich and deeply textural, with a core of zesty acidity to balance. Masses of ripe raspberry fruit gains contrast by way of a tinge of sour citrus. The 2019 leaves the palate enshrouded in fine-grained tannins as the mouth waters for more. Nuances of cacao and tart cranberry fade on the finish. Poggio Nardone has taken things to a new level with the Buche delle Fate, showing a finesse seldom seen in this portfolio.

With an extra layer of concentration lending an unexpectedly softer and almost creamy texture, the Poggio Nardone 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Buche delle Fate shows open-knit, powdery tannins that suggest the wine is just entering its drinking window. The palate offers a compelling snapshot of a vintage known for power and concentrated fruit, yet here the expression feels polished and accessible rather than imposing. Sourced from vineyards at 300 meters in elevation on galestro soils trained to Guyot, the wine spends one year in tonneaux followed by three years in French oak botte grande and is released two years later than a standard Brunello to allow added complexity to develop. Production is limited to 2,000 bottles. I could not find a retail price for this new submission.