Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 'Pianrosso'

Score

97

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is a fine and delicate wine that cleverly delivers the intensity of the vintage but without the heaviness or the ripeness. This wine holds back, just enough, to affirm its poised balance in terms of fruit richness, texture and tannic structure. It shows symmetry throughout. Dark cherry fruit, cassis, plum, lavender and campfire ash set the tone. The mouthfeel is thickly woven and generous, more so than the more linear and focused 2016 Brunello Pianrosso (that I preferred by a tiny margin). This special Riserva represents a 11,000-bottle production."

Score

100

"The opulence of fruit and complexity of earth, meat, mushroom and cedar is breathtaking. It’s full-bodied, deep and powerful with so much intensity and depth. Chewy and layered, it goes on for minutes. Give it even more time. Try after 2023."

Score

92

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is nuanced with dark florals, hints of black cherry, mint leaf and smoky minerals. With time, more baritone notes of tobacco come forward. It’s velvety in the mouth, showing ripe red and black fruits, licorice and sweet herbal tones. Fine tannins settle in through the finale; yet they don’t get in the way, as this tapers off to hints of dark chocolate and savory spice."