Looking back at the 2012 vintage in Italy I wouldn’t immediately declare this hot and very small vintage, the smallest since 1947, an outstanding one. Yet this is exactly what the Consorzio of Brunello di Montalcino did in January 2013 when it gave it its top rating of five stars. The Consorzio based its enthusiasm on a tasting of 50 samples backed up by a chemical analysis showing that the wines possessed high levels of polyphenols, alcohol as well as acidity, ingredients it considers an indication of an outstanding year and the prerequisites for long ageing.
And long ageing is...