Brunello is undoubtedly one of the wines that established Italy's fame as a great red wine country in the last third of the last century. The expectations we have of this wine are correspondingly high. Its storability, for example, is considered legendary.
In fact, however, many Brunellos are already approaching drinking maturity when they come onto the market in the fifth year after the harvest (Riserve need at least one year longer). The majority of wines reach their peak between 8 and 12 years and maintain this level for quite a while. Those who are basically counting on eternal shelf life could experience disappointment if they wait too long; only the best examples not only simply hold out, but mature for 15, 20 or even more years with profit.
