Brunello di Montalcino
Wine from Montalcino was only appreciated and understood by locals as recently as the 70's, even though its warm dry climate has much in common with its famous Tuscan cousin, Chianti. However pioneering work from Clemente Santi with various clones of Sangiovese led to what was labelled Brunello di Montalcino. Changes in strict laws have allowed this region to react better to modern trends, reducing mandatory oak ageing from 4 to 2 years. As with Chianti small amount of foreign grapes can now be including within blends.
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Brunello di Montalcino
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€553.67 |
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James Suckling (97)This has a complex nose of cranberries, dried pineapple, soy, bark, cardamom, mocha, iodine and wet leather. Full-bodied, with firm and very fine tannins. It really builds in intensity, expanding into a broad array of fresh and dried fruit and espresso bean, before converging again on a long and driven finish. Fantastic already. Try now or in a couple of years. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€648.47 |
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Vinous (92+)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and balsamic in the glass, grumbling up with rich notes of mocha, plum sauce, grilled herbs and crushed ashen stone. This is silky, almost creamy in feel, flooding the palate with mocha-tinged red fruits and rum-soaked raisins complemented by hints of tobacco toward the close. The 2018 tapers off with a mentholated freshness and grippy tannins that, at first, take hold of the senses, but then slowly release them, allowing hints of balsam and exotic spice to linger. This unique vintage of Pian delle Vigne has a lot of upfront appeal, yet also a structure that will carry it through medium-term cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€914.92 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€432.78 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Camphor, forest berry, dark spice and new leather aromas form the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and radiant, the linear, vibrant palate delivers ripe red cherry, pomegranate, ground clove and peppercorn set against a backbone of bright acidity and taut, fine-grained tannins. What a beauty. |
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Tuscany | 6 | 97 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€588.55 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Pressed rose, aromatic herb, wild berry and Mediterranean brush aromas take center stage on this breathtaking red. Elegantly structured, the savory palate features tart cherry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean accompanied by tightly woven fine grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it perfectly balanced. |
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Tuscany | 8 | 97 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€678.11 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Pressed rose, aromatic herb, wild berry and Mediterranean brush aromas take center stage on this breathtaking red. Elegantly structured, the savory palate features tart cherry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean accompanied by tightly woven fine grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it perfectly balanced. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€258.78 |
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Vinous (93)Bright red. Highly perfumed nose offers red cherry, rose petal, violet, tobacco and earth tones, with blood orange nuances providing added lift. Juicy, spicy and sweet, with very concentrated, multifaceted flavours of sour cherry, liquid stones, and candied violet. Harmonious, vibrant acidity lifts and extends the flavors on the supple yet firm finish. Approachable now but structured to age, this exceptionally well-balanced, pure, concentrated wine may well be the best Rosso di Montalcino of the vintage. |
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Tuscany | 5 | 96 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€607.52 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino will be released on March 1, 2024. The color is medium red/garnet, and the nose opens to fresh aromas of orange citrus peel, dusty earth, cranberry, spices, and juniper. Medium-bodied and more linear, it lifts through the palate with fine tannins and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. It has a great saline feel and is a savory and fresh wine. This is a Brunello I’d love to drink over the next 10 years for its accessibility and refined texture, although I imagine it will also have some real potential for cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€1,324.60 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino will be released on March 1, 2024. The color is medium red/garnet, and the nose opens to fresh aromas of orange citrus peel, dusty earth, cranberry, spices, and juniper. Medium-bodied and more linear, it lifts through the palate with fine tannins and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. It has a great saline feel and is a savory and fresh wine. This is a Brunello I’d love to drink over the next 10 years for its accessibility and refined texture, although I imagine it will also have some real potential for cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€599.58 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (96)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino from Canalicchio di Sopra boasts great aromatics of wild rose, new leather forest floor and perfumed berry that align with whiffs of spice. It’s savory and loaded with finesse, featuring juicy red cherry, botanical herb, white pepper and iron mineral notes framed in taut, lithe tannins. Blending grapes from their Montosoli and Canalicchio vineyards created an ideal, natural balance. Drink through 2038. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 98 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€395.38 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)The Vigna Casaccia 2018 opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, dark spice and whiffs of violet. More closed than the Brunello Annata, it’s also more structured, showing ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice, tobacco and balsamic notes recalling eucalyptus. Tight, fine-grained tannins provide support while great acidity keeps it fresh and balanced. Drink 2026–2040. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€504.25 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)The Vigna Casaccia 2018 opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, dark spice and whiffs of violet. More closed than the Brunello Annata, it’s also more structured, showing ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice, tobacco and balsamic notes recalling eucalyptus. Tight, fine-grained tannins provide support while great acidity keeps it fresh and balanced. Drink 2026–2040. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 100 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€393.88 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (100)Canalicchio di Sopra’s 2018 Vigna Montosoli, its debut single-vineyard bottling from this celebrated hill, is drop-dead gorgeous. Fragrant and all about elegance, it opens with enticing scents of wild rose, botanical herb, new leather and forest berry. Seamlessly fusing finesse and structure, the delicious palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, raspberry sprinkled with cinnamon, rosemary and thyme before a savory saline mineral finish. It boats great energy and impeccable balance, with taut, refined tannins and vibrant acidity. I just love it. |
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Tuscany | 4 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€291.83 |
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Vinous (93)Vibrant red. Flinty red berries, violet and spices dominate the knockout nose. Then very pure, boasting a steely core of red fruit and floral flavors that linger impressively on the refined finish. One of the best Rossos of the vintage. |
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Tuscany | 6 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€589.72 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is wonderfully perfumed in the glass, with dusty rose and licorice tones giving way to dried strawberries and hints of worn leather. This is a soft and delicate style of Sangiovese with vivid blackberry and cherry fruits that cascade across a core of saline-minerality. It's tannins are crunchy, yet don't get in the way of the 2018s energetic feel as it finishes potent and long with a hint of black currant and cocoa that lingers. |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
Inc. TAX
€976.12 |
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Experience the captivating allure of Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018, a stellar specimen of Italian viticulture, meticulously crafted in the Montalcino region of Tuscany. An epitome of elegance and finesse, this extraordinary wine is the product of the renowned Capanna estate, celebrated for its traditional winemaking techniques, supervised by the Cencioni family since 1957. Deeply pigmented, presenting a radiant ruby red hue, the Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 bewitches with fragrances of dark red cherries, wild raspberries, plum, spiced with hints of earthy truffles, seasoned leather, and hints of saffron. This wine reveals a decadent, full-bodied experience, enriched with robust, velvety tannins and a sublime, lingering finish. This Tuscan gem spent a minimum of five years maturing, including at least two in Slavonian oak barrels, imbuing a complex character that impeccably harmonises power and panache. Truly, the Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 is a delightful decadence, a touchstone of Tuscany's fine wine heritage. |
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Tuscany | 2 | 96 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,349.22 |
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Wine Advocate (96)Showing dried blackberry, balsam herb, vapor rub and a hint of charred chili spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very much in line with a vintage that saw cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine of depth, dusty tannins and a slightly evolved fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto next to the estate's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more overall clarity and crunch. The Neri family does great work with tannin management, and although there is some chalkiness here, the wine's structure is expertly folded into the fruit concentration. Only 9,700 bottles were made. |
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Tuscany | 9 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€774.47 |
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James Suckling (96)Elegant and perfumed nose of dried roses, violets, lemon zest, slate, cherries, aniseed and truffles. Very fine, tight and precise tannins. Medium to full body. I like the floral and saline undertones. So precise and fresh with a tight finish. Crushed stones at the end. Try in 2025, but already attractive to taste and drink. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€532.38 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is deeply alluring and remarkably pretty, lifting up with masses of floral-laced black cherries, sweet herbs and crushed stone. It’s silky and feminine in feel, lifted by juicy acids and minerals with a pure expression of ripe, red berry fruit. This turns spicy toward the close; yet energy remains high, with a gentle tug of round tannins lingering under an air of violet florals. The word that comes to mind here is seamless. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€243.18 |
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Wine Advocate (95)A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles, the Castello di Ama 2018 Haiku is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected expression that delivers big richness and lovely concentration, yet the fruit is never too ripe. In fact, it might be a tad underripe in this vintage that saw a few cooler weeks in early summer and some rain toward the end of the growing season. In all, it shows careful balance with an elegant, medium-bodied approach that is propped up by fresh and lively fruit. There are some Cabernet Franc-driven aromas of black olive tapenade. Like the other wines in this portfolio, Haiku is distinctively Mediterranean in personality. |
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Tuscany | 10 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€587.41 |
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Vinous (93)A dusty blend of cedary spice, mentholated herbs, rose petals and sour cherry wafts up from the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s round and supple in feel, with floral-laced red and black fruits complemented by a subtle tinge of sweet spice. This leaves a bitter twang of sour berries, while a burst of residual acidity adds a cheek-puckering freshness, and a gentle tug of tannin slowly recedes. The 2018 has improved each time I’ve tasted it in the last five months, and it now shows the ruggedness of Northwestern Montalcino Sangiovese, but in a wonderfully balanced way. |
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Tuscany | 10 | 97 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€294.78 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€401.58 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)Camphor, forest floor, wild berry and dark spice aromas lead the way. Full-bodied and supremely elegant, the delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly woven, velvety tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lifted. |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
Inc. TAX
€312.56 |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
Inc. TAX
€641.32 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (KO) |
Inc. TAX
€681.18 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (99)Perfumed berry, pine forest, new leather and violet aromas mingle with enticing scents of vineyard dust that segue into underbrush and nutmeg. Linear, lithe and all about elegance, the savory palate has great energy that lifts juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, star anise and tangy saline notes that linger on the close. Tight but refined tannins and vibrant acidity keep it youthfully tense and impeccably balanced. Those who love power and might could be surprised by its almost ethereal quality, but lovers of finesse, depth and balance will swoon in delight. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 92 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€283.67 |
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Vinous (92)The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is very pretty, showing musky, bright cherry, dried roses and savory spice. There’s remarkable purity here, with soft textures giving way to tart wild berry fruit complemented by zesty acids. It’s dry and lightly structured throughout the finale with lasting inner florals and a twang of sour citrus. This is far from your typical Rosso. The Costanti Rosso is a barrel selection that matures for one year in a combination of 60% tonneaux and 40% new 35-40 hectoliter barrels. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 94 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€839.27 |
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Vinous (94)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles with a bright mix of confectionary cherry, candied citrus and exotic spice forming its sweetly seductive bouquet. This smooths over the palate with total elegance, velvety yet refined, with masses of ripe black cherry complemented by sweet herbs and hints of dark chocolate. It finishes with a coating of silky-fine tannins that lingers, more of an accent than an obstacle, as the 2018 tapers off with nuances of spiced orange and clove. Cupano has produced an incredibly beautiful interpretation of the vintage, which does show a bit of its new-oak influence, but with style. |
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Tuscany | 20 | - |
Inc. TAX
€234.47 |
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Tuscany | 2 | 91 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€396.78 |
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Vinous (91)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dusty and floral on the nose, with a mix of dried black cherries, shaved cedar and wild flowers forming its inviting bouquet. This is round, almost juicy in feel, with cooling mineral tones and brisk acidity that maintains an unexpectedly energetic character, as tart wild berry fruits slowly saturate. The 2018 finishes with grippy tannins, yet also surprisingly fresh, leaving nuances of red licorice to slowly taper off. This really took me by surprise, as I’m so accustomed to Castelgiocondo being such a brooding and powerful wine in its youth, but that is the magic of the 2018 vintage. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€439.00 |
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James Suckling (97)This has a complex nose of cranberries, dried pineapple, soy, bark, cardamom, mocha, iodine and wet leather. Full-bodied, with firm and very fine tannins. It really builds in intensity, expanding into a broad array of fresh and dried fruit and espresso bean, before converging again on a long and driven finish. Fantastic already. Try now or in a couple of years. |
|||||||||
|
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Tuscany | 1 | 92+ (VN) |
In Bond
€518.00 |
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Vinous (92+)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and balsamic in the glass, grumbling up with rich notes of mocha, plum sauce, grilled herbs and crushed ashen stone. This is silky, almost creamy in feel, flooding the palate with mocha-tinged red fruits and rum-soaked raisins complemented by hints of tobacco toward the close. The 2018 tapers off with a mentholated freshness and grippy tannins that, at first, take hold of the senses, but then slowly release them, allowing hints of balsam and exotic spice to linger. This unique vintage of Pian delle Vigne has a lot of upfront appeal, yet also a structure that will carry it through medium-term cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 2 | - |
In Bond
€740.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 97 (KO) |
In Bond
€342.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Camphor, forest berry, dark spice and new leather aromas form the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and radiant, the linear, vibrant palate delivers ripe red cherry, pomegranate, ground clove and peppercorn set against a backbone of bright acidity and taut, fine-grained tannins. What a beauty. |
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Tuscany | 6 | 97 (KO) |
In Bond
€483.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Pressed rose, aromatic herb, wild berry and Mediterranean brush aromas take center stage on this breathtaking red. Elegantly structured, the savory palate features tart cherry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean accompanied by tightly woven fine grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it perfectly balanced. |
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Tuscany | 8 | 97 (KO) |
In Bond
€554.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Pressed rose, aromatic herb, wild berry and Mediterranean brush aromas take center stage on this breathtaking red. Elegantly structured, the savory palate features tart cherry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean accompanied by tightly woven fine grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it perfectly balanced. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€197.00 |
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Vinous (93)Bright red. Highly perfumed nose offers red cherry, rose petal, violet, tobacco and earth tones, with blood orange nuances providing added lift. Juicy, spicy and sweet, with very concentrated, multifaceted flavours of sour cherry, liquid stones, and candied violet. Harmonious, vibrant acidity lifts and extends the flavors on the supple yet firm finish. Approachable now but structured to age, this exceptionally well-balanced, pure, concentrated wine may well be the best Rosso di Montalcino of the vintage. |
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Tuscany | 5 | 96 (JD) |
In Bond
€500.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino will be released on March 1, 2024. The color is medium red/garnet, and the nose opens to fresh aromas of orange citrus peel, dusty earth, cranberry, spices, and juniper. Medium-bodied and more linear, it lifts through the palate with fine tannins and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. It has a great saline feel and is a savory and fresh wine. This is a Brunello I’d love to drink over the next 10 years for its accessibility and refined texture, although I imagine it will also have some real potential for cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (JD) |
In Bond
€1,085.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (96)The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino will be released on March 1, 2024. The color is medium red/garnet, and the nose opens to fresh aromas of orange citrus peel, dusty earth, cranberry, spices, and juniper. Medium-bodied and more linear, it lifts through the palate with fine tannins and a refreshing, mouthwatering finish. It has a great saline feel and is a savory and fresh wine. This is a Brunello I’d love to drink over the next 10 years for its accessibility and refined texture, although I imagine it will also have some real potential for cellaring. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 96 (KO) |
In Bond
€481.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (96)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino from Canalicchio di Sopra boasts great aromatics of wild rose, new leather forest floor and perfumed berry that align with whiffs of spice. It’s savory and loaded with finesse, featuring juicy red cherry, botanical herb, white pepper and iron mineral notes framed in taut, lithe tannins. Blending grapes from their Montosoli and Canalicchio vineyards created an ideal, natural balance. Drink through 2038. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 98 (KO) |
In Bond
€322.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)The Vigna Casaccia 2018 opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, dark spice and whiffs of violet. More closed than the Brunello Annata, it’s also more structured, showing ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice, tobacco and balsamic notes recalling eucalyptus. Tight, fine-grained tannins provide support while great acidity keeps it fresh and balanced. Drink 2026–2040. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (KO) |
In Bond
€409.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)The Vigna Casaccia 2018 opens with aromas of underbrush, leather, dark spice and whiffs of violet. More closed than the Brunello Annata, it’s also more structured, showing ripe dark-skinned berry, licorice, tobacco and balsamic notes recalling eucalyptus. Tight, fine-grained tannins provide support while great acidity keeps it fresh and balanced. Drink 2026–2040. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 100 (KO) |
In Bond
€322.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (100)Canalicchio di Sopra’s 2018 Vigna Montosoli, its debut single-vineyard bottling from this celebrated hill, is drop-dead gorgeous. Fragrant and all about elegance, it opens with enticing scents of wild rose, botanical herb, new leather and forest berry. Seamlessly fusing finesse and structure, the delicious palate delivers juicy Morello cherry, raspberry sprinkled with cinnamon, rosemary and thyme before a savory saline mineral finish. It boats great energy and impeccable balance, with taut, refined tannins and vibrant acidity. I just love it. |
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Tuscany | 4 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€221.00 |
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Vinous (93)Vibrant red. Flinty red berries, violet and spices dominate the knockout nose. Then very pure, boasting a steely core of red fruit and floral flavors that linger impressively on the refined finish. One of the best Rossos of the vintage. |
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|
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Tuscany | 6 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€469.00 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is wonderfully perfumed in the glass, with dusty rose and licorice tones giving way to dried strawberries and hints of worn leather. This is a soft and delicate style of Sangiovese with vivid blackberry and cherry fruits that cascade across a core of saline-minerality. It's tannins are crunchy, yet don't get in the way of the 2018s energetic feel as it finishes potent and long with a hint of black currant and cocoa that lingers. |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
In Bond
€791.00 |
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Experience the captivating allure of Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018, a stellar specimen of Italian viticulture, meticulously crafted in the Montalcino region of Tuscany. An epitome of elegance and finesse, this extraordinary wine is the product of the renowned Capanna estate, celebrated for its traditional winemaking techniques, supervised by the Cencioni family since 1957. Deeply pigmented, presenting a radiant ruby red hue, the Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 bewitches with fragrances of dark red cherries, wild raspberries, plum, spiced with hints of earthy truffles, seasoned leather, and hints of saffron. This wine reveals a decadent, full-bodied experience, enriched with robust, velvety tannins and a sublime, lingering finish. This Tuscan gem spent a minimum of five years maturing, including at least two in Slavonian oak barrels, imbuing a complex character that impeccably harmonises power and panache. Truly, the Capanna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2018 is a delightful decadence, a touchstone of Tuscany's fine wine heritage. |
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|
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Tuscany | 2 | 96 (WA) |
In Bond
€1,115.00 |
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Wine Advocate (96)Showing dried blackberry, balsam herb, vapor rub and a hint of charred chili spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very much in line with a vintage that saw cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine of depth, dusty tannins and a slightly evolved fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto next to the estate's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more overall clarity and crunch. The Neri family does great work with tannin management, and although there is some chalkiness here, the wine's structure is expertly folded into the fruit concentration. Only 9,700 bottles were made. |
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Tuscany | 9 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
€623.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Elegant and perfumed nose of dried roses, violets, lemon zest, slate, cherries, aniseed and truffles. Very fine, tight and precise tannins. Medium to full body. I like the floral and saline undertones. So precise and fresh with a tight finish. Crushed stones at the end. Try in 2025, but already attractive to taste and drink. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€425.00 |
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Vinous (93)The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino Giovanni Neri is deeply alluring and remarkably pretty, lifting up with masses of floral-laced black cherries, sweet herbs and crushed stone. It’s silky and feminine in feel, lifted by juicy acids and minerals with a pure expression of ripe, red berry fruit. This turns spicy toward the close; yet energy remains high, with a gentle tug of round tannins lingering under an air of violet florals. The word that comes to mind here is seamless. |
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|
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Tuscany | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
€184.00 |
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Wine Advocate (95)A blend of mostly Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc and Merlot in supporting roles, the Castello di Ama 2018 Haiku is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected expression that delivers big richness and lovely concentration, yet the fruit is never too ripe. In fact, it might be a tad underripe in this vintage that saw a few cooler weeks in early summer and some rain toward the end of the growing season. In all, it shows careful balance with an elegant, medium-bodied approach that is propped up by fresh and lively fruit. There are some Cabernet Franc-driven aromas of black olive tapenade. Like the other wines in this portfolio, Haiku is distinctively Mediterranean in personality. |
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Tuscany | 10 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€467.00 |
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Vinous (93)A dusty blend of cedary spice, mentholated herbs, rose petals and sour cherry wafts up from the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s round and supple in feel, with floral-laced red and black fruits complemented by a subtle tinge of sweet spice. This leaves a bitter twang of sour berries, while a burst of residual acidity adds a cheek-puckering freshness, and a gentle tug of tannin slowly recedes. The 2018 has improved each time I’ve tasted it in the last five months, and it now shows the ruggedness of Northwestern Montalcino Sangiovese, but in a wonderfully balanced way. |
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Tuscany | 10 | 97 (KO) |
In Bond
€227.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (97)Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish. |
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Tuscany | 1 | 98 (KO) |
In Bond
€316.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (98)Camphor, forest floor, wild berry and dark spice aromas lead the way. Full-bodied and supremely elegant, the delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly woven, velvety tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lifted. |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
In Bond
€253.00 |
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Tuscany | 6 | - |
In Bond
€512.00 |
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Tuscany | 1 | 99 (KO) |
In Bond
€549.00 |
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Kerin O'Keefe (99)Perfumed berry, pine forest, new leather and violet aromas mingle with enticing scents of vineyard dust that segue into underbrush and nutmeg. Linear, lithe and all about elegance, the savory palate has great energy that lifts juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, star anise and tangy saline notes that linger on the close. Tight but refined tannins and vibrant acidity keep it youthfully tense and impeccably balanced. Those who love power and might could be surprised by its almost ethereal quality, but lovers of finesse, depth and balance will swoon in delight. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 92 (VN) |
In Bond
€214.00 |
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Vinous (92)The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is very pretty, showing musky, bright cherry, dried roses and savory spice. There’s remarkable purity here, with soft textures giving way to tart wild berry fruit complemented by zesty acids. It’s dry and lightly structured throughout the finale with lasting inner florals and a twang of sour citrus. This is far from your typical Rosso. The Costanti Rosso is a barrel selection that matures for one year in a combination of 60% tonneaux and 40% new 35-40 hectoliter barrels. |
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Tuscany | 3 | 94 (VN) |
In Bond
€677.00 |
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Vinous (94)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino dazzles with a bright mix of confectionary cherry, candied citrus and exotic spice forming its sweetly seductive bouquet. This smooths over the palate with total elegance, velvety yet refined, with masses of ripe black cherry complemented by sweet herbs and hints of dark chocolate. It finishes with a coating of silky-fine tannins that lingers, more of an accent than an obstacle, as the 2018 tapers off with nuances of spiced orange and clove. Cupano has produced an incredibly beautiful interpretation of the vintage, which does show a bit of its new-oak influence, but with style. |
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Tuscany | 20 | - |
In Bond
€173.00 |
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Tuscany | 2 | 91 (VN) |
In Bond
€312.00 |
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Vinous (91)The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dusty and floral on the nose, with a mix of dried black cherries, shaved cedar and wild flowers forming its inviting bouquet. This is round, almost juicy in feel, with cooling mineral tones and brisk acidity that maintains an unexpectedly energetic character, as tart wild berry fruits slowly saturate. The 2018 finishes with grippy tannins, yet also surprisingly fresh, leaving nuances of red licorice to slowly taper off. This really took me by surprise, as I’m so accustomed to Castelgiocondo being such a brooding and powerful wine in its youth, but that is the magic of the 2018 vintage. |
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Wine from Montalcino was only appreciated and understood by locals as recently as the 70's, even though its warm dry climate has much in common with its famous Tuscan cousin, Chianti. However pioneering work from Clemente Santi with various clones of Sangiovese led to what was labelled Brunello di Montalcino. Changes in strict laws have allowed this region to react better to modern trends, reducing mandatory oak ageing from 4 to 2 years. As with Chianti small amount of foreign grapes can now be included within blends.
