Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino

Let it breathe for a solid three hours and the earthy spice settles into this gorgeous dark cherry thing that's worth every minute of waiting. The herbaceous edge kept it interesting with a slow-cooked lamb ragu.

Decanting it for about two hours really brought out that herbaceous side, and the earthy spice hung around long after the glass was empty. It’s bold but not heavy, and the finish is surprisingly smooth. I’m glad I saved it for a slow evening rather than rushing it.

We opened this after a long dinner and the earthy, spicy notes were exactly what I wanted with the meal, though it definitely opened up more in the glass over an hour. The smoothness on the palate is no joke, but I’m glad I’ve got a second bottle to cellar because this has serious aging potential.