Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Spuntali 2016

97 points Falstaff Guide: "Clear, rich ruby with fine garnet shimmer. Very clear and fragrant nose, full of blackberry and mulberry, plus some leather and liquorice. Shows itself on the palate full and full-bodied, opens with grippy tannin in many layers, very long echo on the finish, a long runner. Alcohol 14.5%. (3/19/21)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "[$110 list] The 2016 Vigna Spuntali Brunello di Montalcino is the most brooding of the lineup from Val di Suga and is sourced from the southwest of the region on sandy soils. There are aromatics of black raspberry, licorice, menthol, sage, cinnamon, and iron-rich earth. Its Mediterranean influence is felt on the palate with ripe black cherry, dried herbs, and sun-baked earth. This is the fullest bodied and most savory of the Val di Suga lineup, with more roundness and grip. Its structure will benefit from cellaring for several years and will be great drinking over the next 20 years or more. Drink: 2026-2040. (Mar 2021)"

96 points James Suckling: "Dried leaves and roots, bark, walnut husks and black olives. Plenty of savory notes. Great depth of flavor, too. On the palate there’s more walnut, chocolate, black cherry and olive. It's full bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins. Wonderful depth here. Drink after 2024. (11/11/20)"

96 points International Wine Report: "Precise on the nose, it combines hints of cherries, white almonds, lime blossom and acacia. In the background, the presence of orange peel melted with honey notes is pleasant. Medium-full body, velvety tannins of excellent quality and an elegant finish of medium long persistence. Better from 2022."

95 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Spuntali from Tenimenti Angelini - Val di Suga opens up slowly in the glass. Its understated bouquet focuses on bright red fruits and florals with hints of cedar and a dusting of confectioners’ spice. Silky in texture, cast upon a medium-bodied frame, the 2016 impresses more on purity than power, with a display of wild strawberry and salty minerals which pepper the senses. Tension builds, as crystalline tannins penetrate deeply, clenching the palate in youthful poise yet with a coating of concentrated primary elements here that tempt the imagination. The Spuntali spends one year in barrique, followed by another in large French casks. Drink: 2026-2038. (Nov 2020)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Full of ripe cherry, plum and floral aromas and flavors, this red delivers plenty of energy and focus. Backed by a dense swath of tannins, this remains balanced and elegant through the lingering finish. The fruit element is the lasting impression. Best from 2024 through 2045. (4/7/21)"

95 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Blue flower, baking spice, new leather and ripe black-skinned berry aromas are front and center on this fragrant, full-boded wine. Polished and elegantly structured, the savory palate features ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, cinnamon and licorice framed in firm, fine-grained tannins. It’s already tempting but give it time to develop even more complexity. Drink: 2024–2041. (Jan 2021)"

94 points Michaela Morris (Decanter): "On the luminous slopes of Montalcino’s southwest, Vigna Spuntali is characterised by sandy soils. Winemaker Andrea Lonardi explains that this yields bigger berries than schist or clay. In some vintages, like 2016, he bleeds off 10-15% of the juice to give more density. Very Mediterranean in personality, it explodes with thyme, oregano, mint and sage blossom. There's a lusciousness to the palate which exhibits exotic red fruit and a salty lick. Sandy tannins lend textural complexity to this radiant Brunello. Drinking Window: 2024-2038. (Mar 2021)"