تشيلستينو بيتشي برونيلو دي مونتالتشينو 2017، توسكانا

Opened this with some aged Pecorino and the ripe cherry and fig notes paired perfectly. The wine is intense but smooth, with a long, satisfying finish.

That cinnamon and black pepper note really carries through on the finish, which I didn't expect next to all that ripe cherry and plum. The dried fig adds a sweetness that makes it dangerously easy to keep sipping, even though it's clearly built to age.

I opened this with some grilled lamb chops and the ripe cherry and black pepper notes came through beautifully. It's got enough structure to age a few more years, but it was already smooth and balanced on the second day.