"Here is one of this year's masterpieces from Montalcino that shares many qualities of my highest-ever rated Brunellos, especially those that fall on the most elegant side of the Sangiovese spectrum. The Salicutti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Teatro has an obsessively complete set of aromas with fresh plum, blood orange, white pepper, tobacco leaf, potting soil, pressed rose, iron ore and crushed stone. The aromas are all very organic or healthy in character. However, you also get that punchy grape-infusion taste from extended skin contact in cement and slow oak aging. The Teatro sees two years of bottle age (or one more than the others) before its release. This vineyard site has limestone alberese rock with layerings of white quartz, and these impart a slightly dusty quality with pink rock salt. Teatro is the estate's smallest and highest cru at above 500 meters in elevation. The tannins are powdery and fine. I can't wait to revisit this wine in 10 years' time."

"A super-restrained and almost austere riserva with rhubarb and stony minerality enhanced by sweet violets, red cherries and an almost lavender depth. On the full-bodied palate, this shines with freshness and tension, showing firm yet velvety extracted tannins and an overall tight-knit structure. It finishes with a youthful cherry-pit character."