Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the Year has been one of the wine calendar's most eagerly anticipated events for a long time now and has had a profound influence on the values of numerous wines. Nine of the top ten have been announced this week and the one that has caught my attention is a Brunello. 2015 has proven to be a truly exceptional year for the region and offers the opportunity to enjoy wines that have performed their utmost, at remarkably modest prices. For San Filippo, it's their best vintage yet. San Filippo's 'Lucere' had already gained a perfect 100 point score from James Suckling and cements it's status with the No.2 position in Wine Specatator's Top 100. With a production of just 1300 cases, I expect it'll prove an illusive wine to buy.
Luckily, there is also the option of San Filippo's over-achieving 'regular' Brunello, which is no slouch itself at a mere 98 points. That said, there are only 1500 cases of this...
2015 San Filippo, Brunello di Montalcino
60 bot @ £300 per 6, in bond (£376.07 inc duty & VAT) The transparency of fruit to this wine is so pretty with sliced black cherries and orange peel. Fresh and aromatic. Full body. Tight and polished with ultra-fine tannins and an intense and focused finish. A beauty. Drink after 2022.98 points James Suckling
2015 San Filippo, Brunello di Montalcino 'Lucere'
24 bot @ £495 per 6, in bond (£556.07 inc duty & VAT)
Decadent aromas of ripe fruit, such as plums and peaches with black truffles and porcini mushrooms. Full body, with layers of ripe fruit and round and chewy tannins. Lots of chocolate and fresh mushroom at the finish. A thoroughly terroir-driven red. Try after 2022. 100 points James Suckling
Effusive aromas of black currant, blueberry, violet and iron mark this expressive red. Supple and harmonious, with a firm backbone of tannins that are refined and integrated. Shows terrific length and complexity. Best from 2023 through 2043. 97 points Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
