This is an impressive wine with blackberry, currant and spice. Full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. A rich and structured young Brunello.

Flamboyant young wine with crushed-raspberry, chocolate and orange-rind undertones. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. From biodynamic grapes. Drink in 2020.

Ripe boysenberries, tar, chestnuts, orange peel, dried cherries and tobacco. There's a beautifu interplay between the more subtle notes and darker red fruit, and nothing's out of kilt to the ripeness. Lot's of powerful tannins take the full-bodied palate by storm, coating the mouth in layers of intense but fragrant red fruit and steamrolling this Brunello to a long chewy conclusion. This is a contrastive wine, built on the foundation of an intricate, wild tannin backbone, but framed in a vibrant and transparent package.

Wow. This is really complex on the nose with black cherries, mushrooms, dried flowers and cedar. Some crushed stone and dry earth or tile. This is full-bodied and very layered with wonderful depth of fruit and creamy tannins. It’s focused and serene.Try in 2024 and onwards.

Unique aromas of dried flowers and sandalwood with ripe black cherries. Breathtaking. It’s full bodied yet rather agile and weightless with fine dusty tannins that float across the palate. Wonderfully done for this difficult vintage. Gorgeous and delectable now. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

[Susan Hulme] This 2018 San Polino Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum is San Polino’s flagship wine named after the local helichrysum plant that grows here. This wine is made from grapes sourced from the vineyards that surround the house. On this 2018 there is already a beautiful, heady depth of fragrance on the nose with sweetly perfumed, floral notes like iris, violet and green herb set against a light background of nutmeg, cedar, cream and spice.

On the palate there is plenty of ripe, blackberry fruit in the middle interwoven with exotic oak spice and cream notes. This wine is beautifully harmonious and composed.

Very dark, almost impenetrable ruby. Brooding dark fruit on the nose that is still very
closed and only hinting at sour cherry. With aeration increasingly complex with exotic spice and cherry notes. Bags of sweet-sour cherry and raspberry fruit with gripping tannins giving it tension. Lots of juice and fruit intensity without being heavy. Quite the stunner, but not ready yet.

With unimpeded views towards Monte Amiata in Montalcino’s southeast, the Helichrysum vineyards are characterised by arid, stony soil, winds from the Sahara, and significant temperature differences between day and night. While the 2019 possesses the vintage’s – and this site’s – signature fragrance, it disperses it with measured precision. The subtle progression leads from camomile, liquorice and fennel to cocoa and tobacco. The palate is taut, compact and concentrated yet never heavy. A dark red cherry backdrop is laced with exotic spice, while tactile tannins encircle the core with a terracotta-like cling. Tuck this away for a few years.

Decanter Top Brunello 2012. Bright, very youthful looking ruby colour. Delicate floral and wild berry nose. The palate has great power but also superior balance, showing a fresh fruity vein behind the tannins and a long, broad finish with hints of baked earth and cocoa powder.

This has beautifully deep dark plums and cherries with earth and cocoa powder. The palate delivers a soulful, balanced impression with dark cherries sitting fresh and long in the finish. Drinking well now and for at least six years more.

 A firm, chewy red with lots of dried-berry, grape and floral character. Green tea and tobacco. Full and intense. Structured. Needs a few years to soften: better in 2018.

Lustrous deep ruby. Huge depth on the nose, yet contained at the same time. Perfumed cherry with salty, minerally notes and a hint of damson. Lush, tangy and succulent on the palate with polished tannins adding chew and a fine grip. Very long with lots of juice and fruit, but without going over the top. (WS)

The compelling San Polino 2019 Helichrysum shows even more depth than the straight Brunello and more complex aromas including new leather, blue flower, cured meat, cedar, wild herb, exotic brown spice and hazelnut. Made from the estate’s highest vineyards, it’s focused and full-bodied, featuring dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and saline mineral notes. Firm, tightly-woven tannins provide the backbone while bright acidity provides energy and balance.

A bold, beautifully bright Brunello built on principles prioritising environmental harmony. Lees stirring during oak ageing preserves the fresh richness and clarity of the fruit. Texturally it has a smooth, tannic keel, leaving in its wake generous layers of appetising fruit. If this is Brunello’s future, count me in.

This has an intense and attractive nose of peach stones, wild strawberries, cherries, cocoa beans,licorice, matcha and pressed flowers. Generous and aromatically open, with tightly-knit tannins interwoven with layers that keep on giving. Evolves to roasted tea leaves and minerals. Medium and fresh. From organically grown grapes. Try in 2024.

Pale ruby red in colour with purple undertones. Elegant bouquet of pink rose petal, cherry blossom, orange zest. Red and black wild berries, black tea, salty liquorice, distinctive minerality.
Plush and silky upon entry expanding across mid palate bringing layers of textural depth with primary fruit core. Long articulated close. Stunning wine.
Needs a year or two to unwind and relax.

Medium ruby red in colour with bright pink undertones. Distinctive depth to aromatic profile, pale pink rose petal, bluebell, violet, praline, cedar notes and menthol infused herbs. Dark cherry, plum, kirsch, citrus peel, new leather and distant clove. Death defying act of balance, carrying vibrating acidity and finely grained tannins that are unconditionally intertwined. The flirtatious aromatics play hide and seek with primary fruit nuances, minerality and textural qualities from mid palate to the juicy long finish. Wow!

A cooling, mentholated freshness introduces the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum as black cherry, clove and dusty rose aromas evolve in the glass. This is a model of both purity and elegance, with textures of pure silk and depths of ripe wild berry fruits that are carried by a wave of vibrant acidity. The 2019 finishes incredibly long, structured and classically dry, yet still fresh, leaving a saturation of red plum and licorice under an inner floral air. The depth and concentration here are off the charts, as the Helichrysum holds its power in reserve. Be patient with this one. In a word, fantastic

Deep ruby. Beautiful pure cherry and raspberry nose. Brooding richness of fruit and a frightening amount of tannins makes it unapproachable for the moment, but this has vigour, energy and power. Super-tightly wound. (WS)

Alluring scents of ripe plum, tobacco, underbrush, fragrant blue flower and a whiff of new leather set the tone. The taut tightly-knit palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and baking spice framed in bright acidity and a backbone of assertive, fine-grained tannins.

Rich, bright ruby. Very attractive smooth and dense nose, after mature, dark blackberries, somc elderberries and dark plums, complex. Rich and interwoven on the palate, shows fleshy plum fruit, after pickled cherry. It opens with dense, substantial tannins, surrounded by sweet sesame with firm pressure in the final.

Deep ruby. Intense and a little balsamic with a touch of leather. With aeration, pure cherry and raspberry. Fragrant, perfumed, cherry and raspberry palate with perfectly integrated acidity. Gorgeous chew and length. (WS)

Aromas of baked plum, espresso, dark spice, leather and a balsamic note lead the way. On the chewy full-bodied palate, bracing tannins support juicy cherries marinated in spirits, raspberry, orange zest, licorice and tobacco. Fresh acidity lends balance. It still needs years to come around. Drink 2022–2035.

Rich Ruby with sparkling garnet rim. Compact and dense nose, full of fresh plums, raspberries, finely drawn. Solid and firm in the base, shows a lot of ripe, dark berry fruit, in the rear area fine licorice, dense, dense tannins, firm and long.

This biodynamic winery estate once again presents a great wine. Clear ruby-red, a complex nose of fruit, slight smokiness and a light perfume of forest undergrowth. Great elegance, refined tannins and a pleasing acidity.

Tasted blind. Deep almost ruby. Savoury-sweet, spicey nose with salty, minerally notes. Gorgeous, layered yet compact fruit that is not fully open and firm tannins that demand more time.

"Unique aromas of flowers such as violets, stones and roses as well as dark fruits. Incredibly vivid. Full-bodied, yet subtle and refined. Amazing beauty. Better in 2017 but so gorgeous now. Incredible complexity and character. From biodynamically grown grapes. "

 A rich and velvety wine with berry, mineral and dried floral aromas and flavors. Full and velvety, with cherry jam and velvety tannins. Round and lovely. Starts off soft but then builds with loads of tannins. Best ever. Best after 2015.

Aromas of berry, new leather, rose and licorice waft out of the glass on this firmly structured wine. On the assertive palate, drying, close-grained tannins weave through dried cherry, star anise, toasted nut and roasted coffee bean. Made with organically farmed grapes, it also undergoes spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts. It's still young and bracing so give it time to fully develop. 

Bright ruby red in colour. Showing finesse and poise from the start. Black fruits, dried wild forest mushrooms, damp leather interplay with nuances of spice, violet and rose petal. An intense complex and layered expression. Exudes class. Hauntingly long finish.

Intense aromas of rose, red berry and botanical herb come to the forefront. Made with organically farmed grapes, the full-bodied, delicious palate boasts elegance and depth, delivering juicy Morello cherry crushed raspberry, star anise and peppercorn while taut, refined tannins provide seamless support. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and energized.

Helichrysum is crafted from vineyards around San Polino’s winery in Montalcino’s southeast. Harvested just after the estate Brunello, the grapes saw the same pre-fermentation maceration to fix colour, as well as gentle daily pumpovers to keep fragile skins intact. Opening slowly, it's as equally distinct in fragrance as its sister bottling - though more Mediterranean in temperament. Lavender and scented broom mingle with pepper, expanding with sumptuous tannins that hem in plentiful fruit, perky acidity that keeps it lively, and a long and violet-tinged finish. It definitely carries the stuffing and structure for ageing.

Lustrous mid ruby. Lifted, sweet cassis and cherry nose. Exotically fragrant perfumed fruit on the palate which builds up on the finish. Striking and certainly unusual and with cracking tannins. Needs time to settle. (WS)

Lots of bark, forest flowers, black cherries and baking spices in the nose. Full-bodied with layers of gorgeous tannins that coat the mouth and give an enticing silky texture that is irresistible. Juicy finish. From organically grown grapes. So beautiful already, but even better in two or three years and beyond.

Lots of bark, forest flowers, black cherries, blackberries and baking spices in the nose. Full-bodied with layers of gorgeous tannins that coat the mouth and give an  enticing silky texture that is irresistible. Juicy finish. From organically grown grapes. So beautifully already, but even better in two or three years and beyond.

This is very aromatic with raspberry, orange-peel and violet character. It’s medium-bodied and very fresh with refined tannins that run long and true. Crunchy and pretty for the vintage. Tiny production from a single vineyard. From biodynamically grown grapes. Give this two or three years.

Luscious mid ruby. Exotic spice with slumbering raspberry fruit on the nose. Racey raspberry and cranberry fruit filled out with powdery tannins that still need to settle. Very long and perfumed but far from ready. (W.S.) 

This is crazy wine for the vintage, with incredibly perfumed aromas of cherries and flowers. Full body with fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Stunning. Wine of the vintage. From biodynamically grown grapes.

More fresh nuts on the nose with hints of ripe fruits. Full body, with ultra-fine tannins and a chewy texture. This is tight and closed and needs a year or two to open. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Best in 2015.

Bright aromas of raspberries and blackberries, follow through to a full body, with chewy, polished tannins and a juicy finish. Intense wine. Made from a vineyard selection. Better in 2014.

Helichrysum is crafted from San Polino's high-altitude vineyard in the southeast. With views towards Monte Amiata, it receives winds from the Sahara. The summer days are hot, giving mature sweet fruit with lots of structure, while the nights cool down substantially, helping to preserve heady perfumes. This is replete with fragrant florals, chamomile, thyme and fennel. It's quite brooding on the palate, the dense fruit framed by terracotta-like tannins. It boasts a long, succulent and saline finish.

Soft and rich, with lots of plum and dried fruits and hints of toasted oak. Full and velvety. Made with organic grapes.

The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum opens with a spice box bouquet that blends potpourri with incense, cedar shaving and dried black cherries. It's juicy with round textures and ripe red and blue fruits that slowly saturate the palate in primary concentration. Edgy tannins resonate, adding a youthful grip as the 2020 tapers of with sapid length and a tart blackberry tinge.

Driven by climate anxiety in 2017, owner Katia Nussbaum is now digging deep into soil microbiology and regeneration to encourage vines to manage their own nutrition and water uptake. This goes well beyond the organic and biodynamic viticulture that the estate has long practiced. From estate vineyards high up in Montalcino’s southeast, Helichrysum is a profusely scented Brunello offering strawberry, red plum and dried Mediterranean shrub aromas. It starts off with a round, seductive voluptuousness before tension builds with nervous energy. Compact, powdery tannins wield a firm grip and it culminates with notes of caper.

Camphor, new leather, pipe tobacco and cedar aromas slowly take shape in the glass along with forest floor notes. Made with organically grown grapes, it's full-bodied and savory, delivering steeped prune, fleshy Morello cherry, baking spice and licorice framed in tightly woven, enveloping tannins.

A wine of sheer beauty. Silky tannins encircle fresh, warm, red cherries, layered intensity, consisting of orange zest, sweet tobacco, red berries. Delicate aromatics adding to overall finesse. Clarity and precision defining this wine from the beginning to the long finish.