Wine Reviews

There’s density and punch to this Brunello, with a line of beefy tannins underscoring its plum, cherry and blackberry fruit. Earth, iron and woodsy underbrush accents chime in as this plays out on the dusty, chalky finish.

Packaged with a blue wax capsule and a chunky glass bottle, the Tenute Silvio Nardi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara opens to an inky dark appearance. The very first thing I noticed is the high alcohol content of the wine, measured here at 15.5%, which proves a distraction. The fruit is rich and concentrated, and there is a lot of oak spice and toast at the back. The tannins are dry

The nose mixes sweetness with umami, as vanilla and dark berries play with soil and mushrooms. On the palate, the berries and soil continue their game, while a stony herbaceousness watches from the shadows before a comforting, warm finish of bitter, spicy chocolate.

The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vigneto Manachiara is dusty and floral, with a cascade of rose petals, geraniums and mint giving way to bright cherry-berry fruits. It is cool-toned and round in feel, with crisp acidity and wild berries coming together with an air of sweet lavender. Edgy tannins pinch at the cheeks through the long, staining finale as nuances of blackberry fade.

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Manachiara is dusty and floral, with aromas of dried roses, ground cloves and black cherries. Silky and round, it quickly gains tension as tart wild berry fruits saturate and fine-grained tannins mount toward the close.