Caparzo's 2008 Brunello sits almost translucent in the glass displaying a garnet hue with faintly brick coloured edges. It's an elegant and refined Brunello reflecting Caparzo's style and the cooler vintage. True to form Sangiovese characteristics come through with cherry and red berry notes, anise, tobacco and smoke. The mouthfeel is silky with tart fruit, spice, and chewy tannins that are entering a mellower phase of development. Framed by an acidic backbone, this wine is food friendly. Excellent length. Jan. 2015.

Lighter and leaner than most Brunello (the vintage?), this Caparzo is Chianti Classico in weight and flavours. Sour cherry fruit, tart cranberries and hints of spice, but they is little in the way of oxidative fruit - this is quite fresh, even at nearly 10 years of age. Wood is but a minor feature. Once one gets past the expectations of a bigger richer wine, there is much to appreciate here. Complex, long finishing and food friendly. Fine current drinking and should hold for a few more years. Tasted Jul 2018.