A rare, single-vineyard 2012 vintage Brunello di Montalcino, not just Italy’s, but one of the entire wine world’s most coveted reds, with a 98 point accolade and for a mere $59.99 thanks to 40% savings, is not something we come by every day. When we discovered the few remaining original cases of this long-gone jewel at a price half of what it once cost, there was no hiding our excitement and we immediately secured every bottle we could to share with you.

This is a sight to be seen, a pale garnet red that emanates with beguiling translucency. Nothing, and we mean nothing smells like a Brunello, dried herbs and cherries all day here, endlessly. Exotic tea and spices, dried cranberries all come around on the big burst of flavors, with disarmingly charming finesse and power within. The back end is rich in grippy fine tannins, as it echoes gracefully with complex nuances. Aged hard cheeses or roasted game birds with a honey balsamic glaze and mushrooms are phenomenal pairing candidates, to name a few matches with this versatile ‘food red’ meant and made for the gracious table.

This is the highest rated Brunello of 2012 by James Suckling, and also holds the #50 spot in his Top-100 hot list of the greatest wines of the word in 2017. The comparable 2012 Valdicava Madonna, for example, would fetch about $200 these days, if you can find any! A collectible TOP Italian red already aging and drinking superbly, showing infinite class and pedigree under $60? What more can we say? Sorry if it sells out fast, we wish there were more of it!

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

98 Points – James Suckling “This is an incredible 2012 with fantastic depth, richness, focus, and tension. Full body, polished and velvety tannins, and a long and flavorful finish. Goes on for minutes. Better in 2020 but a joy to taste now. One of the wines of the vintage.”

95 Points – Wine Spectator “A dense, backward red, with plenty of cherry, plum, spice and eucalyptus flavors. A broad swath of tannins and juicy acidity carry the long finish, but patience is required for all the facets to emerge. Shows excellent potential. Best from 2021 through 2035.”