Italian Brunello is bold, yet supple, the big, smoky-earthy nose of ultra-ripe cherry and currant-like fruit gives way to a hint of tar and cracked black pepper, cedar, whiffs of licorice, leather, and also plums and black cherries, followed by a richly tannic, long, long finish. Its firm backbone of acids and tannins make it work well with rich and spicy foods like Italian sausages or lasagna as well as hard cheeses such as Asiago and Pecorino Romano.