Brunello di Montalcino Riserva

Score

92

"The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is understated yet exotic in the glass, as nuances of spiced orange peel mix with dusty rose and crushed sour cherries. Darkly floral and fleshy within, it offers masses of ripe red and black fruits underscored by crisp mineral tones and a bitter cocoa tinge. Structured yet not aggressively so, the 2020 leaves chewy depths of licorice and a sweet herbal air to linger long."

Score

91

"Sweet wood spices with some earthy, balsamic notes. A touch of dried orange peel, musk and cloves, too. Medium body with tight, chewy tannins and a long but grainy finish. Try in 2026."

Score

91

"Aromas of French oak mingle with forest floor, dark spice and camphor. Reflecting the nose, the taut, high-toned palate features vanilla, coconut and mentholated notes that accent a core of dried Morello cherry. Firm, close-grained tannins leave a grippy finish. Give the tannins a few more years to unclench then drink to capture the remaining fruit richness. Drink 2028"2035. Abv: 14% Kerin O'Keefe January 2026"

Score

90

"Dark fruit, blackcurrant, spice and campfire ash define the Mocali 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, a wine that already shows a notable openness in its fruit profile. There is a suggestion of early oxidative development that shortens the long-term outlook, pointing instead toward a near- to medium-term drinking window. The wine is aged for four years in French oak botte, with fruit sourced from galestro and sandstone soils, emphasizing breadth and volume over precision. Production is limited to 3,000 bottles."

Score

93

"Looking at the first of two Riservas from Mocali, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva offers more purity on the nose (if a bit reserved), with aromas of cherry lozenge, potpourri, orange zest, and anise. The palate is medium-bodied, with a spine of bright acidity, fine tannins, and notes of dusty earth on the finish. It's a more transparent wine throughout and will be best enjoyed over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035."

Score

93

"A wild display of crushed blood oranges, steeped plums, cinnamon sticks and cloves bursts up from the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. It's soft-textured and round, with fresh acidity and a tart tinge to its wild berry fruits as silty minerals settle under an air of tobacco and spice. This finishes with admirable length and tension, leaving edgy tannins and an echo of sour citrus."

Score

93

"A beam of lively cherry and raspberry flavors is the hallmark of this red, accented with earth, tobacco and wild herb notes. Nicely balanced, with a dusting of licorice and chalky tannins on the extended finish. Best from 2027 through 2043. 165 cases made, 75 cases imported."

Score

92

"A reductive and funky nose, meaty and leathery, with raspberries and cherries, earthy tones and gamy depth. Firm on the palate, this has crisp acidity, full body, chalky if not grainy tannins and a muscular finish. Best after 2025."

Score

92

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a little hard on first nose with thick black fruit concentration and solid aromas of exotic spice, crushed stone and crème de cassis. There is a slight hint of resin or furniture wax at the back that adds to the darker aromatic profile of this Riserva, which has a medium-plus body weight."

Score

16

"Dark ruby with orange tinges. Sweet red fruit that is a little rich on the nose and with what looks like a hint of savoury oak. Bags of ripe sour cherry and firm, slightly coarse-grained tannins, but balances on the finish. The tannins definitely demand more time. (WS)"

Score

92

Score

91

"Inward and balsamic, the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva slowly unfolds with a mix of dried cherries, dusty stone and black tea leaves. This is velvety, verging on weighty, with masses of dark mineral-inflected fruit slightly lifted by minty herbal tones toward the close. The 2017 tapers off with a bitter twang and structured, leaving a sweet-and-sour interplay of tart wild berries and sweet spice to linger."

Score

91

Score

92

Score

91

Score

91

Score

94

Score

93+

Score

93+

Score

92

Score

96

Score

94+

Score

93

"Broad and ripe, this red offers plum, cherry, iron and leather flavors. Reveals hints of earth and almond as this builds to the lingering finish. Vibrant and balanced, with a dusty quality to the tannins. Enjoyable now. Drink now through 2040. ‡B.S"

Score

93

"Porcini mushrooms, cherry stones, dried flowers and some savory meat and olive notes. Full-bodied, remaining focused, with firm, fine-grained tannins. I like the savory, linear drive. Drink after 2023."

Score

92

Score

92

Score

91

"Melding fruits and a very ripe profile emerge in the 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva, with baked plum, sweet baking spices, and leather. It shows warmth aromatically and is perhaps evolving a bit quickly. It is full and generous on the palate, with tannins that come out on the finish but feel a bit more in check. The palate has more freshness, and I like where this is today. Drink 2023-2030."

Score

90

Score

90

Score

90

"In the area of Tavernelle, Mocali,s 10 hectares of vineyards are surrounded by Mediterranean woodland. The Riserva is selected from the estate,s oldest vines and matures in French oak tonneaux of 400 litres. The wood is nicely integrated as the 2017 shows attractive spice atop dried cherry, prune and plum. Full and flattering, the palate layers in vanilla and sweet herbs, finishing with a peppermint lift. Smoothly textured with soft tannins, this is ready to drink."