The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is dark, floral and exotic, even sultry at times, presenting a bouquet of black currant, animal musk and savory, crushed ashen stone. The textures are silky yet dense, showing mineral-webbed woodland berries and balsamic spices. The tannic heft mounts toward the close, penetrating deeply, but with brisk acids to balance. The 2016 is animalistic in nature, yet crystalline and fresh, tapering off structured and incredibly long, leaving licorice and balsam herbs to linger. In 2016, Francesco Ripaccioli decided to use fruit from both the Vigna Vecchio and Mercatale vineyards in the Riservo, which is typically the richer and bolder expression of Brunello at Canalicchio di Sopro, but in 2016, it's totally classic in every possible woy. What a glorious wine! Eric Guido - Vinous