Brunello di Montalcino 'Pianrosso'

Score

98

"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso is a single-vineyard expression that draws its fruit from an 11.7-hectare parcel with moderately thick galestro soils with ancient marine material. This special site, awash under the brilliant light of a big, open sky, does indeed deliver a more pronounced mineral signature, with wild berry, rose and rosemary essence. This is a beautiful wine, taut and silky, with elegant tannins that will endure ambitious bottle aging. Production is 37,000 bottles."

Score

98

"Lots going on here with black plums, ripe cherries, cedar, smoke and cocoa on the nose. Ash, chocolate, crushed walnuts and some praline. Mushrooms. This has firm, ripe tannins and a full body. Flavorful and juicy finish. Very structured. Drink after 2025."

Score

94

"Dark, rich and deeply alluring, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso boasts a display of ripe black fruits encased in an air of crushed stone, sage and exotic spice. While velvety and almost creamy in texture, it finds harmony through juicy acids and a mix of ripe black cherry and plums. Hints of licorice and baker’s chocolate balance the Pianrosso’s salty minerality and fine-grained tannins through the long and dramatic finale. There’s beautiful symmetry here for a wine with such power. Place this in the cellar for ten years or more; but don’t make the mistake of not checking in from time to time, because I expect the 2016 to enjoy a long and open drinking window."

Score

95

"Although this wine is not labeled as a riserva, it is released six years after the harvest as if it were one. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso (with 20,000 bottles produced) opens to balanced fragrances that mix fruity elements with spice, crushed stone and smoke. This wine is linear and direct with firm tannic support at the back. Give it another few years to flesh out further with additional bottle aging."

Score

98

"Wild berry, fragrant purple flower and crushed herb aromas mingle with whiffs of tilled earth and new leather in this dazzling red. The stunning, savory palate boasts remarkable finesse combined with an ageworthy structure, offering succulent black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and tobacco alongside taut, refined tannins. It's impeccably balanced by bright acidity. It's already tempting, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2021–2033"

Score

94

"A wealth of coffee and spice aromas with ripe fruit. Full body and round tannins. Delicious and rich. Flavorful finish. Opulent style. Drink or hold."

Score

93

"Deep ruby. Exotically perfumed scents of red berry liqueur, Asian spices, potpourri and licorice, with a herbal quality adding lift. Big, rich and dense, with sappy cherry-cola and raspberry flavors picking up a refreshingly savory edge with air. Finishes long, showcasing excellent clarity and power."

Score

94

"The Pianrosso is a selection of the oldest vines from a single vineyard of almost 12ha, at an altitude of between 240 and 360 metres. It matures in Slavonian oak casks and ages for six years before release. Macerated cherry, plum, anise, eucalyptus and heady florals come out with some coaxing. Full and rich in style, the palate is held together by layers of powdery tannins, while stony, mineral-like nuances add intrigue. It needs a couple more years to fully express itself, but is already demonstrating great persistence and definition."