Wine advocate 96/100 James Suckling 100/100 Gardini Notes 95/100 Size:0.75 l Type:Red Country:Italy Region:Toscana Denomination:Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Grapes:Sangiovese 100% Aging:3 years in 1,000 liter barrels Alcohol content:15% Service temperature:18/20°C Vintage:2015 Description Translating Fabio Tassi’s vision into the bottle and then into the glass is an exercise that leads to an understanding of the desire to make his mark by producing wines with a distinct personality, both varietal and territorial, wines that are not homologated but are able to speak the language (or dialect) of the territory they belong to, made up of small plots and individual crus that give rise to small productions of absolute excellence. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Franci is the confirmation provided by the most demanding international critics of how excellent is the vision and the oenological path pursued by Fabio Tassi, so much so that it deserves top marks in the 2015 vintage. Il Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Franci è la conferma da parte della critica internazionale più esigente di quanto sia eccellente la visione e il percorso enologico perseguito da Fabio Tassi, tanto da meritare il massimo dei voti nell’annata 2015. The Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Franci is confirmation by the most demanding international critics of how excellent the vision and winemaking path pursued by Fabio Tassi is, so much so that it deserves top marks in the 2015 vintage. The result is of superior quality also thanks to Franci’s special terroir: acidity, complexity and elegance confirm the excellence of the grapes arrived at harvest and the great aging potential. To the taster, the Brunello Riserva Franci is deep ruby in color with garnet hues, introducing a complex bouquet on the nose that hints at red and forest fruits flanked by puffs of candied orange, sweet spice reminiscent of curry and definite roasted notes of coffee, tar and smoke. On the palate it is immediately well-balanced, fresh and with already well-integrated tannins that still bode well for aging potential. Broad and generous in the mouth, it closes the sip with a textural persistence that never seems to fade. From a very limited production, sharing the same cru with the Selezione Franci, the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Franci perfectly conveys the philosophy of its creator, allowing one to discover a distinctive and strongly territorial approach to the world of Montalcino.