Wow, opened this thinking (given the notes in Cellar Tracker) it was over the hill. Not. One note, from one of my favorite authors, Gian, said (seven years ago) that at the time it looked surprisingly young. I recently bought a few based on that one sentence, and a belief in the producer, the grape and region. So glad I did.

15 March, 2017: 1997 La Palazzetta (Flavio Fanti) Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Fully mature, and stunning with just 90 minutes of aeration. A dark ruby core with a little tawny at the rim. The nose is closed at first, it’s earthy. The second glass reveals a well-balanced, medium-bodied wine with soil and dark cherry and black raspberry notes; some dried herbs, leather and truffle. The third glass adds considerable weight, nearly doubling the volume; the finish adds length – some brown sugar and dark spices emerge. By the fourth (i.e. final) glass, the perfumes are full bore, the body is now med+, though the acids remain cool, the tannins fine and lightly sweet; some savory. Tasting notes have this in the grave since the start, no, this wine is at its apogee now and for the next 5 years at least. A genuinely lovely, mature and well-developed Brunello; glad to have another in the cellar. 14,0% abv.”  highly recommended

Served non-blind; cork 2/3 soaked, great fill, lots of fine sediment. Served at 59F, best at ~ 67F. Fantastic.

(header photo: cycling is a really popular activity in Montalcino zone)