The bottle of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 1975, Lisini, bottle
1720, was bought by me shortly after release and has been stored properly. The fill was still in the low neck. There were no cork or other issues. The color is still quite deep with only a bit of age showing around the rim. There is still plenty of complex fruit and bouquet which has rounded with time and developed much more complexity including mixed spice notes. Acid is right, and tannins are under control and not too hard. The overall balance is very good. This wine has only improved slowly and evenly with age as I have tasted it from about 10 years old on. It is more drinkable than many at an early age, but you lose much if you drink it too young. Hugh Johnson called Lisini a historic small estate for some of the finest Brunello in his
2008 Pocket Wine Book. He likely had more recent Brunello in mind when he wrote this. However his description is apt for the 1975 Riserva. I believe the estate was run by a woman in 1975, but I do not know the details of management there now. Besides the Riserva, I had several bottles of the standard, but they went into decline many years ago, although still drinkable. In some cases a standard Barolo ages better than the Riserva from the same estate and year. A wine with very good balance and considerable body is needed to benefit from the extra age required for a riserva.