Brunello di Montalcino 'Pianrosso'

Score

98

"Enticing aromas of red cherries, dried strawberries and hints of plums, cedar, sandalwood and balsamic. Medium-bodied with a tight and rich center palate and a chewy and powerful finish. This needs time to come together and soften slightly. Best after 2029."

Score

97

"Aromas of new leather, spiced black plum, violet and camphor unfold on the bold and beautiful 2021 Brunello Pianrosso. Combining power and restraint, the full-bodied palate delivers layers of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and fine tobacco blend before a spiced orange zest close. Velvety, enveloping tannins provide seamless support."

Score

96

"The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso pours a youthful red hue and has a deeper, more complete expression in this vintage. The nose has a cologne-like lift, with brushy sage, cigar box, baked cherries, crushed stones, and licorice. Full-bodied, it stays light on its feet and carries velvety tannins, mouthwatering salinity, and refreshing acidity, with a finish that builds with warmth and spice. It should gain depth with time in bottle. Drink 2027-2040."

Score

95

"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso slowly evolves with nuances of tobacco, crushed stone, dried herbs, crushed violets and mentholated blackberries. Its velvety textures coat the palate with ripe red and black fruit, crisp mineral tones, fine tannins and a balancing core of stimulating acidity. The 2021 is structured and incredibly long, leaving hints of mocha and licorice on the chewy, tension-filled finish. Though powerful and intense, its inner harmony can not be denied."

Score

95

"Dark and richly textured, this expression opens with ripe fruit nuances, sweet plum and baking spice. The Ciacci Piccolomini d™Aragona 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso is unapologetic about ripeness and the more concentrated side of Sangiovese, a style reinforced by the warm growing conditions of the vintage and the naturally powerful Pianrosso site. There is so much richness and phenolic texture here that it recalls warm years such as 2017 or 2019. The tannins are soft, the alcohol is high at 15.5%, and production stands at 43,000 bottles, including larger formats."

Score

100

"Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini d,Aragona Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It,s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning."

Score

98

Score

98

"The impressive 2018 Pianrosso opens with classic aromas of new leather, underbrush, baking spice and mint. On the full-bodied, elegantly structured palate, enveloping, velvety tannins accompany dried cherry, raspberry compote, spiced cranberry, truffle and vanilla before a pipe tobacco close. Fresh acidity provides excellent balance. Drink 2025†2038. A superb wine. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O,Keefe October 2023 'kerinokeefe.com"

Score

97

"This is so complex, with lifting citrus and herb undertones to the blue and red"

Score

96

"A special single-vineyard wine with origins in one of the more remote, wild and beautiful corners of Montalcino, this is one of the true treats of the appellation. The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens to a medium-rich appearance and vibrant color saturation. Sangiovese can lose its color quickly, but it remains beautifully intact here. Sweet cherry, redcurrant, spice, blue flower, balsam herb and orange peel are neatly woven together to create this balanced wine. Fruit is sourced from across a 11.7-hectare vineyard with schistous galestro soils. Production is 37,000 bottles."

Score

95

Score

95

Score

95

"Warm and sunny on the nose, with hibiscus, wild cherry, blood orange and cranberry, and the quiet sophistication of cigar smoke. Cherries and berries mingle with just a hint of vanilla and hazelnut coming through at the back like a spoonful of dessert on the finish. Ciacci Piccolomini d™Aragona. "D.C."

Score

94

"The 11.69-hectare Pianrosso vineyard sits on iron-rich marly soil, and as it typically gives a more structured Sangiovese, it is singled out for this selection, as well as the estate™s Riserva in years it™s made. Pianrosso 2019 rings out with its signature heady scents. Gorgeous mint, pink peppercorn and orange peel converge with tar and mocha. On the palate, it offers more substance and concentration than the estate bottling yet is still of the elegant mould. Lush in fruit and smooth in texture, it is accessible now and built for mid-term ageing."

Score

94

"Sweet berries and cherries on the nose, together with fresh violet and lilac notes. Full body with juicy tannins and a flavorful finish that opens on the palate. Lots of ripe cherry flavor. Tar, too. A rich and layered Pianrosso. One of the bigger, riper wines of the vintage, but still holds true. Try in 2027."

Score

94

Score

94

"Dark depths of crushed plums and black cherries are offset by notes of rosemary, spiced citrus peels and hints of cocoa as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens in the glass. This is an especially racy style for Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, with cooling mineral tones and zesty acidity propelling its ripe berry fruit and hints of sour citrus across the palate. While structured, this finishes with tremendous energy and freshness, leaving the mouth watering with a lingering bitter hint of balsamic spice. The 2018 may not possess the power often associated with the Pianrosso, but it instead impresses with its lively and spicy character."

Score

94

"A complex red, with dark, savory notes of licorice, eucalyptus and tobacco aligned with cherry and berry flavors. Succulent, showing light viscosity to the texture, with wild herb and iron elements creeping in on the long finish. Power meets grace. Best from 2026 through 2045. ‡B.S."

Score

93

Score

92

Score

92

"Both of Ciacci Piccolomini,s 2018s offer a Ádeliciousness, of taste and a truly umami quality, however the Pianrosso selection delivers greater Brunello satisfaction. Not quite 12 hectares, this iron-rich marly vineyard soaked up just enough warmth to clearly demonstrate its southern origins. It has more shape, form and depth to lend endurance. Iron and salty minerals emerge from a backdrop of persimmon and hibiscus, finishing with Mediterranean herbs. Docile and yielding, the gentle sandy tannins give textural complexity as well as an immediate drinkability."

Score

92

"This red pulls you toward the sanguine and iron side of Sangiovese, with a core of cherry and plum flavors that show accents of oak spice and eucalyptus. There's a hard edge of tannins rimming the finish, leaving a compact feel. Best from 2027 through 2039. 5,000 cases made, 2,830 cases imported."

Score

91

Score

91

Score

16.5

"Deep ruby with bricky rim. Concentrated sour-cherry nose with a suggestion of gingerbread. Becomes more complex with aeration. Lush, ripe fruit on the palate with polished tannins and tangy acidity. Great length and very accessible. (WS)"