2011 Brunello di Montalcino

Andrea Costanti is at the very top of his game. The wines have never been better at a property that remains a reference point for Montalcino. Costanti is among the producers who will not bottle any Brunello in 2014. Instead, all of the juice is destined for a second Rosso di Montalcino that will spend two years in cask and be bottled separately, most likely under a historic name the Costanti family used in the past. There will be no Riserva in 2011. In an unusual move, Costanti has lowered the price of his 2011 Brunello slightly, something I hope his importers, distributors and retailers have the good sense to pass along to the final consumer. In sum, these new releases are stellar. Andrea Costanti's straight Brunello remains one of the single best and most consistent wines in Montalcino.