Brunello

Superb - the Cerretalto 2012, a plant from a historical top location in the west of Montalcino. In the bouquet, spicy accents and aromas of soft sour cherries and blackberries give the scent. The impeccable taste impresses with its dynamic and weighty character, the dense tannin with good supporting effect, the respectable acidity and a first class finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A rich, deep ruby with a garnet shimmer. Intense and complex nose, with dark cherries, violets, fresh, juicy plums, olive paste and dried tomatoes, very inviting. Rich, firm base on the palate, lots of warmth, dark, ripe fruit, dense tannin interwoven with sweet enamel, salty and long, for lying clean!" Falstaff

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto offers a prolonged, flowing and carefully massaged drinking experience that drapes over the senses with some studied intensity and lots of intriguing complexity. This wine nails that perfect balance between power and elegance (that elusive exchange that so many winemakers hope to achieve) with effortless precision. Bold cherry fruit and spice are tightly woven together. In the mouth, the wine shows texture, depth and succulence. Generally speaking, this is not my favorite vintage in Montalcino, but this wine suddenly made me forget that thought." Wine Advocate

"Flavors of medicinal herbs, juniper, macerated cherry, plum, tobacco and spice are the hallmarks of this intense red. Ripe and concentrated, yet sleek and focused, with spice notes chiming in on the long, minerally and firmly tannic finish." Wine Spectator

"The density is so impressive in this great single-vineyard wine of Casanova. It's full yet agile at the same time. Shows such integrated tannins and fresh acidity at the finish. Energized and focused. Tangy and citrusy. Mineral undertone. One of the great Brunellos of 2012." James Suckling

Cerretalto wins in the exceptional 2016 vintage with beautiful, natural complexity and fine oak tones surrounded by cinnamon, clove, chocolate and exotic spices. On the palate, a dark, dense, ripe fruit and firm tannins. Incredibly long and deep with amazingly fresh acidity and fine salinity. For us, the perfect Riserva of this great vintage and made for decades! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a fine garnet rim. Multi-layered nose with notes of dark cherries, blackberries, rosewood, slightly earthy tones behind, clear and memorable. Has lots of plump fruit on the attack, juicy dark cherry, plum, then opens up with fine-meshed tannin in many layers, very good tension and length, elegant and finely defined, long finish." Falstaff

"There’s something intriguing, alluringly dark, earthy – animal, even – yet floral and packed full of rich black fruits and exotic spices that defines the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto. This impresses with its cool-toned dark berries and minerals, complemented by bright acidity and sweet inner herbal tones. It’s not yet ready to reveal all of its charms, though it drops subtle hints each step of the way. A bitter twang keeps the expression lively and fresh, while grippy tannins saturate deeply and leave the palate aching with youthful tension, as notes of licorice, clove and a hint of ginger linger. What a wine!" Vinous

"A dense, racy and expressive red, offering black cherry, black currant, violet, iron and a hint of rosemary aromas and flavors. This is driven by vivid acidity and refined tannins, which lend both finesse and length. Features great harmony and elegance." Wine Spectator

"Cerretalto is bottled separately in selected vintages only. It is given an additional year of ageing and is typically still patently austere when released. While the 2015 was almost uncharacteristically fleshy, 2016 is a return to Cerretalto’s sinewy personality. It opens gradually with distinct flint, creosote and smoke-infused wild black currants and thyme. The palate is powerful without being weighty, with chiselled tannins that are rigid but not hard-edged. A concentrated core of black salted liquorice, black raspberry and iron is pierced by tangy acidity. Ultimately an elegant wine, this will need time to express all its nuance." Decanter

"Here's an important keepsake from a classic vintage. The Casanova di Neri 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto needs time to open, especially if you plan to drink the wine earlier than is recommended. This powerful wine is packed tight with black fruit, plum and summer ripe cherry. Those dark fruit tones segue to spice, baked clay, balsam herb and gardening soil. The oak is always more apparent in the Cerretalto (which is released one year later, as if it were a Riserva) compared to the Tenuta Nuova. The vineyard used makes a big difference, giving this wine more textural weight and thicker fiber. It's all a question of taste, but if you want power, richness, sensuality and voluptuousness in your Brunello, Cerretalto is the bottle at the end of the rainbow." Wine Advocate

"Wow. Incredible purity and transparency with cherries, bark, mushroom, flower and slate/stone on the nose. Full-bodied yet agile and fresh with a fine tannin structure that runs the length of the wine and goes on forever. The polish, elegance and grace is breathtaking. Power with agility. A revelation for the 2016 vintage in Brunello. Drink in 2024 and onwards but wonderful to taste now." James Suckling

"One of the highlights in the expression of the Riserva, in a vintage blessed, a cru definitively in the history of the denomination. Spontaneous fermentation, about a month of maceration on the skins, raspberry jam to the nose, with touches of nutmeg and laurel. The mouthfeel has sapid and velvety tannins and the finish is fruity-officinal." Luca Gardini

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling

For Biondi Santis Riserva, the fruits of the oldest vines of Il Greppo (30 years and older) are used, the wine matures for three years in traditional oak barrels. On the nose, initially fine aromas of wild berries, blue flowers, eucalyptus and lightly grilled smoke. The intensity increases in small steps. With time, the wine is magnificent and focused, with a very direct and impressive presentation of its aromas. The wine leaves a lasting impression in the mouth, thanks to the textural tautness of its tannins and the refreshing crispness of the acidity, finally showing more power, volume and persistence than expected on the long final. Subtle and big! SUPERIORE.DE

"Ruby garnet red colour. The nose is very dense and youthful, with a brilliant purity of bright cherry fruit and tobacco leaf. The palate is similarly taut and difficult to penetrate. The fruit is ripe, but the energy of acidity and tannins provides harmony. With plenty of air, the nose begins to open up, revealing layers of flowers, herbs and savoury spices. It remains a little difficult to see how this concentrated, refined and tightly wound wine will develop into the edgy and characterful wines of the 1970s and 1980s, but there is no doubting its ageing potential and quality." Jancis Robinson

"Savory, red currants, underbrush, dried roses, worn leather, hints of iodine and cedar - these are the aromas that shimmer from the seductive Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016. It impresses first with its purity, then with its energy, seamlessly silky and refined, but almost racy in style, with salty wild berries and nuances of sour citrus drenching the palate, lifted by a hint of mint. The 2016 finishes with crystalline tannins that create an almost crisp sensation as the tart red fruits and nuances of liquorice slowly fade away. The 2016 Riserva has an invigorating feel unlike anything I have ever experienced in a bottle of Biondi Santi Brunello, which combined with a depth of wonderfully pure and delineated fruit makes it an absolute delight. That said, the 2016 is structured and set up for a long and successful ageing." Vinous

"The 2016 Riserva is the last vintage harvested and vinified by the Biondi Santi family and was subsequently blended by technical director Federico Radi under the new ownership of EPI. It is seamless but difficult to deconstruct in its youth. Eventually the dark and earthy personality reveals itself, exuding liquorice root, moss, damp earth and heather. The tannins are compact and tight-knit, but with a gentle texture of fine chalk. They give just enough to let the inner fruit sweetness shine through. Think red cherries and a hint of tarragon; then a hint of blood orange that fades effortlessly into a bright beam of racy acidity." Decanter

"The classic convinces already with its fine spicy bouquet with aromas of red forest fruits, cherry blossoms and tobacco; excellent course, the fine-grained tannins and the acid perfectly integrated, shows a lot of polish and elegance until the ellong finish. Can and should age." Vinum

"Medium crimson garnet, violet reflections, broad ochre rim brightening. Hints of dark berries, fresh plums, red currants, fine fruit sweetness, a hint of orange zest and figs, nuances of nougat. Complex, substantial, silky tannins, salty on the finish, pleasant extract sweetness, delicate and fresh, gripping minerality on the finish, lingers for minutes, red berry on the back palate, an immensely multifaceted food companion, sure further ageing potential that will fill many decades." Falstaff

"A harmonious, balanced red wine that perfectly showcases the aromas of cherry, strawberry, flowers, iron and tobacco. Fresh and detailed, with a linear profile and a refined structure that drives the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of strawberries, flowers, fresh mushrooms, forest flowers, sandalwood and a hint of balsamic. Full-bodied and dense on the finish. A straightforward red wine with fine tannins. Needs about five more years to develop its full potential. New classic. Better after 2026." James Suckling

"Wow, this is a vintage I have been eagerly waiting for. The 2016 growing season was one of the best in recent times in Montalcino, and if we look back in time, this vintage marks the year Biondi-Santi was sold to a French group. The prestigious Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 proves to be a powerful collector's bottle that will undoubtedly gain in complexity and depth with careful bottle ageing. The wine offers wild nuances of wild berries and sour cherries, and there are herbal notes as well as floral tones of dried violets and lilac. The tannins are soft, powdery and feel like they are melting on the palate." Wine Advocate

Tasting the different lots of Il Marroneto from the barrel is a fascinating task. The vines are all similarly situated at high altitude, on coarse sand of marine origin, and predominantly north-facing. While they have subtle differences, the distinct character of Madonna delle Grazie often merits a separate bottling - as the 2018 proves. The aromas take on the darkest, most heady purple florals, tangled in allspice and smoky incense. The wine is muscular with firm tannins that grip it tightly and don't let go, though it is never beefy, heavy or angular. At the moment it is still developing, but the finish already reveals a refined balsamic core and a spicy, salted plum. SUPERIORE.DE

"Wonderfully clear-cut and multi-faceted on the nose, noble appearance, shows a lot of herbaceous-floral spice, white pepper, rose and violet blossoms, but also sour cherry and wild berries, behind it a dazzling peppery-spicy backdrop reminiscent of exotic spices. On the palate, enormously complex and finesse-rich with delicate, crisp fruit, carried by finely meshed tannin and a fantastically integrated acidity, wonderfully animating with beautiful spiciness and spice on the final. Once again belongs to the absolute top wines of the vintage." Weinwisser

"Sparkling, fine ruby red with a light rim. Extremely clear nose of ripe, dark cherries, rose petals and cloves, with some smoky notes in the background. On the palate, lots of sweet fruit, finely meshed tannin that is integrated into lots of melting, pithy and with firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Shiny, deep ruby red. A little closed, but with great purity of fruit on the nose. Waves of concentrated, intense fruit on the palate. Supple, elegant and generous at the same time, it shows true cru quality. Fantastic tannins following the fruit on the finish, chewy and tactile. Classic. Can be drunk now, but will continue to develop for some time." Jancis Robinson

"This wine has an array of red and dark fruits with coffee, dark chocolate, sweet spices and upturned earth. Medium to full-bodied with fine tannins and a distinct dark berry character on the palate. A little dense and textured, with a firm and long finish that leaves notes of nutshells and crushed stones. Taste after 2025." James Suckling

"The single vineyard bottling of Il Marroneto is a selection of small, loose grapes, which manifests itself in the density of the fruit and the secure structure. Next to the winery's "classic" Brunello, it often shows a more earthy, autumnal face. The 2018 corresponds with scents of chestnut and undergrowth that combine with the fruity sweetness of the vintage. Long, suede-like layers of tannin envelop the fleshy black cherry. As the wine progresses, subtle traces of pepper, leather and incense emerge, suggesting more to come. Above all, Madonna delle Grazie embodies the most positive qualities of the vintage as it flows with agility and grace." Decanter

"The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie takes time to open up in the glass. It is complex and seductive with its musky redcurrants and savoury spices, but also with pretty pink tones. A hint of sweet smoke emerges and contrasts nicely. Its textures are like liquid velvet, with a chalky mineral tinge that comes on quickly and is perfectly balanced by a massive wave of dark red berries; yet the balance is expertly maintained by a streamlined acidity that creates a sense of total internal harmony. The 2018 leaves a structured impression, yet its tannins are silky and fine, coupled with a finish of violet pastille and lavender that I find very attractive. Remarkably, I have tasted this wine for the past two years and have accompanied this current bottle for 48 hours, never faltering and only increasing in depth and complexity. Il Marroneto's 2018 Madonna delle Grazie is undoubtedly one of the three best wines of the vintage. I take my hat off to Alessandro Mori and his team." Vinous

"The Il Marroneto 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie shows elegance and power in one go. The fruit quality is crisp and tangy, but the wine supports a medium-heavy concentration and a more elaborate style. This vintage of Il Marroneto has two personalities. On the one hand, you get a wine with beautiful primary fruit but a little more immediate, and on the other, a wine that promises good ageing thanks to its freshness and silky tannins that melt on the palate. It is young, but also mature. It is racy, but also complex." Wine Advocate

"Alessandro Mori's Brunello is more of a historical legacy than a vineyard. On the nose, notes of blackcurrant jam, with nuances of bay leaf and white pepper. The mouthfeel is dense and savoury, with a return of fruit and sweet spices. Persistent." Luca Gardini

This dazzling wine is something for Sangiovese purists and lovers of extreme finesse. It literally vibrates with electric energy and charm. Opening with enticing aromas of roses, violets, berries, ploughed earth and new leather, it is youthfully intense but already a classic at this stage. With its velvety texture, it envelops everything it touches with masses of dark red fruit, liquid violet blossom, notes of lavender and sage, plus a subtle savoury note. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity ensure a perfect balance and a promising, long ageing potential! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby garnet colour. Appealing, compact nose of dark cherry and plum, then some tobacco and cigar box, with a background of molasses and balsamic flavours. Spreads out richly on the palate, hearty, pithy tannin that is very well integrated into the overall context, builds steadily towards the final, juicy and with firm pressure." Falstaff

"Deep, youthful ruby red colour. Compared to the estate wine from Il Marroneto from 2019, it is one step higher. Minerals infused with rich raspberry with hints of fresh garden herbs and mace. Wonderfully juicy fruit with enormous focus and amazing, fine, long, deep tannins." Jancis Robinson

"This is a racy wine with deep layers, infinite complexity and a wild, almost mischievous personality. I've noticed other Brunellos imitating this style, but none come close to this one and only. Il Marroneto 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie immediately exudes aromas that are lively, elegant and full of energy. This wine is light and powerful, especially when you consider that it has a unique vigour. Sweet cranberries, coriander seeds, cola, liquorice and white pepper stand out clearly. There is a hint of sweetness that feels like summer is singing from the glass. The mouthfeel is very lively, with great freshness and fine, dusty tannins that coat the whole mouth." Wine Advocate

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie seduces the imagination with a dark veil of exotic flowers and spices that slowly lifts to reveal dried blackberries and cherries enlivened by a hint of mint and a touch of clove. The silky texture and ripe red berry fruit soothe as a mix of savoury minerals and fine tannins slowly build towards the finish. Structured yet incredibly long and deep, it tapers like a black hole, inward facing and youthfully tense, mingling sweet tannins with soaked plums and balsamic herbs. The 2019 is one of the most energetic yet complex offerings from Madonna delle Grazie I've tasted. I could lose myself in this wine for days." Vinous

"The winery is located on the northern flank of Montalcino on a Jurassic soil, one of the oldest in Italy. An old "botte grande" gurgles, murmurs and bubbles slowly in the cellar. Fermentation here takes place naturally, including malolactic fermentation, exclusively in oak. This 2019 is supple and fresh on the nose, with redcurrants and dark cherries and a graceful depth of incense and smoky woods, sweet violet, cinnamon and orange peel. Vibrancy dominates the palate, with long, powerful acidity and dense, velvety tannins leading to a sweet, lingering aftertaste." Decanter

"Alessandro Mori's Brunello, which in the best sense resembles only himself. Notes of cranberry jam on the nose, with a hint of marjoram and star anise. The flavour is dense and salty, with a hint of freshness and balsamic vinegar. Very long-lasting, spicy finish." Luca Gardini

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling

Cerretalto 2018 is an expressive, exuberant and impressive wine that opens with a dark ruby red colour and a rich texture. The bouquet is endlessly intense, closely followed by finely tuned aromas of black cherries, spices, grilled herbs, cloves, tobacco, damp earth and white truffle. Over time, elegant mineral tones unfold, and later these flavours transition into cola, liquorice and tar. The mouthfeel is silky and supple, and there is enough power to move the wine seamlessly across the palate. Cerretalto continues to develop endlessly over 24 hours in the glass. Clear case: this is a bottle for the back of your cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, rich ruby red colour. Beautiful, ripe, open nose, accessible, plums, wild raspberries, tobacco, liquorice in the finish. Surprisingly juicy on the palate, great fruit freshness, opens up with present, silky tannins, good tension, still a little drying on the final." Falstaff

"This intense red wine has a solid structure that emphasises the aromas of plums, cherries, eucalyptus and iron, with a solid mid-palate that develops into a lingering aftertaste of red fruits, hibiscus and minerals. It shows excellent length and freshness." Wine Spectator

"With dried blackberries, balsamic herbs and a hint of charred chilli spice, this wine offers an aromatic profile that is very well suited to a vintage that experienced cool spring temperatures and a hot summer. The Casanova di Neri 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is a wine with depth, dusty tannins and a slightly developed fruit character. I tasted this 2018 Cerretalto alongside the winery's new releases from 2019, and the latter vintage certainly offers more clarity and bite overall. The Neri family does a great job of handling the tannins, and although there is some chalkiness here, the structure of the wine is skilfully embedded in the fruit concentration." Wine Advocate

"Black cherries and dried cherries combine with notes of balsamic, leather and minty earth, but it needs time to open up. Full-bodied on the palate, with good fruit concentration and refined tannins. Still youthful, with grainy oak notes. A hint of graphite on the polished finish. Very flavoursome." James Suckling