Under the leadership of Maria Flora Fuligni since 1971, along with her long-time right-hand Dr Daniela Perino - now the estate’s CEO - Fuligni is one of the denomination’s most consistent performers. The 2018 does not disappoint: it epitomises the elegance of the vintage. A captivating synthesis of florals and earth, the nose radiates pressed violet, lavender and rose with truffle and tobacco accents. It expands in the mouth with flavour rather than weight or brawn. Red currants and orange are amplified by piercing acidity, and well-formed, magnificently textured tannins are chalky and adequately padded, giving layers and profundity. Not pushed beyond its capacity, this will drink beautifully over the next decade.

The Fuligni 2018 Brunello di Montalcino stands out for its smooth integration of aromas and the carefully balanced intensity achieved here, which shows momentum but also remains very fine and nuanced. There are many sides to the bouquet with wild fruit, cassis, crushed stone, candied orange and fresh herbs or rosemary. A floral note also appears that suggests rose or iris root. The tannins are very well managed and silky. You hardly feel them, yet the wine offers firm structure throughout. This is a production of 35,000 bottles and one I am happy to recommend.- ML

This 2018 Fuglini Brunello di Montalcino has a medium ruby color with a slight garnet tone which makes it look already a little more evolved. The aromas are quite understated with very gentle sweet spice, fresh earth and sweet tobacco leaf. The palate is beautifully gentle and harmonious in texture and weight with very fine Sangiovese tannins that are like fine sand but there is a vibrant, lively acidity, giving a mouth-watering freshness on the finish. This is an elegant understated and subtle wine which reflects the 2018 vintage accurately.

The warm, sweet nose features aromas of milk chocolate, fresh brewed coffee, vanilla bean and Luxardo cherry, while the palate is a cascade of dark, sweet berries, with a spicy, invigorating earthiness that recalls a developed savory Molé. — Danielle Callegari

Marked by a beam of pure cherry and rose hip flavors, this elegant, succulent red is beautifully balanced between the fruit, acidity, tannins and texture, with accents of earth, tobacco and wild herbs adding detail. The long finish indicates fine potential. Best from 2025 through 2042. 3,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

A fine Brunello with black cherry, hazelnut and chocolate aromas and flavors. Very perfumed. Medium-bodied with a pretty texture and delicious finish. Lovely fine tannins. Not the most structured red but will improve with age while delivering wonderful pleasure now. Drinkable but better after 2023.

A wonderful energy seams through the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino, with layered aromas of cherry licorice, leather, spice box, and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, with vibrant tension driving the wine forward through its linear profile, it has fine tannins, with a refreshing edge of acidity and notes of dried cranberry, orange peel, and salty earth. It is a stellar wine to cellar for a couple of years and drink over the following 10-15.

It takes a good amount of time for the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino to open in the glass, as a cloud of white smoke gives way to a sweetly scented mix of dried roses, sugar-dusted cherries and hints of exotic spice. This is a round and supple 2018, communicating elegance through its velvety textures, polished ripe red fruits and cascading inner violet florals. There’s opulence here, yet also the acidity to balance, as the 2018 tapers off long with classically refined tannins, yet leaves the palate perfectly reset for another sip. Frankly, it’s hard to put this glass down. There will be no Riserva produced in 2018, and so all of that juice was used to bolster this open-knit and seductive Brunello.