Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2016

If you haven’t noticed, there are 2014s and 2015s still on the market. Why? Because 2016 happened. Suddenly, despite the 2015 vintage being full of great, ageworthy Brunellos, most were passed up for the 2016 vintage, points or no points.

I offered everything I could possibly get my hands on, but almost as soon as the well was full, it was bone dry. The best of the vintage was simply not around any longer, all the top bottles had been gobbled up- many by international private collectors.

But luckily, I’ve known all along that help was on the way. One of my favorite Brunello producers also happens to be one of the region’s most strict. Val di Suga, who for years has remained one of Tuscany’s finest and most consistent producers usually releases their wines pretty late. We offered their 2013 vintage, back when 2015s were just hitting the market, but that’s all by design.

The Brunello di Montalcinos at Val di Suga spend 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels and 12 months in concrete tanks before spending at least 12 months in the bottle. Many times, they’ll spend even more than 12 months in bottle prior to release, meaning that by the time they hit the market, they have already aged a few years and are already hitting their stride.