Caparzo

Bright ruby red colour. The bouquet opens with cedar wood, then plum and small red berries. Medium-bodied, fresh and pleasantly lively, precise, very pure fruit and a pleasing finish. A marvellous wine to drink with ambition! SUPERIORE.DE

"This rich yet fresh version shows some muscle, exuding cherry, raspberry, loam and leather flavors. A healthy band of tannins renders the finish dense and tactile, while the fruit persists." Wine Spectator

Dark and rich in the glass, with spicy herbs and a hint of cinnamon that fades into black raspberries. La Caduta is luxurious, silky and round with a dense wave of mineral red and black fruits that slowly saturate the palate. The finish is structured and incredibly long, with hints of salted liquorice and spice that linger. La Caduta is a real Rosso insider tip alongside Fuligni's Ginestreto and is full of potential every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour with brightening edges. Shows a certain depth on the nose, reminiscent of violets, cherries, blackberries and blood oranges, fine spice and some leather. Juicy and with fine pressure on the palate, showing clear fruit and a velvety texture, with a lingering final and good persistence." Falstaff

"Attractive nose of dried cherries, candied oranges, chocolate and walnuts. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and fleshy on the palate, with firm but very fine tannins. Juicy and spicy." James Suckling

Caparzo is one of two estates in Montalcino (the other is Altesino, by the way) owned by the extremely charming Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini.

Caparzo's Brunello di Montalcino is a very classic interpretation that delivers the perfect stuff without any distracting frills. The nose is fruity and warm at the same time: aromas of strawberries, cherries and hibiscus flirt with notes of dark chocolate, orange peel and stones bathing in the sun. On the palate, a wave of cranberry brings an astringency that refreshes a lingering stony note before the chocolate returns on the finish. The firm, imposing tannins creep up slowly, adding depth without weighing the wine down. Great value! SUPERIORE.DE

"Fruity bouquet, dark cherries, but also cassis and blue berries. Behind this, however, very clear notes of cherry, blackberries and marvellous floral hints. Polished and pleasing on the palate, round, with fine, round tannins, sweet berries." Weinwisser

"Ruby red with brightening edges. Intense nose of ripe cherry, some leather and beeswax, reminiscent of blood orange on the final. Clear fruit again on the palate, fine woody spice, with a certain pressure and pithy tannins." Falstaff

"The 2019 captures its overtly fragrant disposition. Fennel, mint and aniseed linger on the palate. Plush and soft texture with a predominant blackcurrant flavour. The fine tannins harmonise with the zesty acidity. An uncomplicated and attractive wine overall." Decanter

"Rich and supple, with aromas and flavours of cherry, blackberry, graphite and tobacco. The dense, dusty tannins are evident in the long, lively finish, in which a slight astringency lingers." Wine Spectator

"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino opens slowly in the glass, but it's worth the wait as a dusty mix of dried flowers, cedar shavings, wild strawberries and spice unfolds over time. It is silky and enveloping with fresh acidity and pretty wild berries that gain sweetness over the palate. The finish is long and colourful but still lively and tangy, leaving a layer of fine tannins and liquorice notes that resonate under a hint of violet blossom. The 2019 is a beautiful interpretation of the fruit of northern Montalcino." Vinous

"The Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino offers vibrant flavours of cherry-cola, wild berries and dried cranberries, which are very much in evidence on the nose. The wine's dimension and scope are impressive, especially in terms of mouthfeel. What works best in my opinion, however, is the wine's balanced and much-needed freshness. You get a great quality." Wine Advocate

"Quite pure fruit with flavours of black cherries, black berries and light chocolate. The palate is full and focused with very polished tannins and a long, long finish." James Suckling

Caparzo's La Casa vineyard, located in an enviable position on the hill of Montosoli, has been vinified separately since 1977 and is one of the first single-vineyard bottlings in Montalcino. Like regular Brunello, La Casa has a surprising underlying acidity that gives the wine brightness and focus, the northern exposure of the parcel certainly playing a role. Fresh herbs and pomegranate contrast with nuances of sun-baked earth and incense. On the palate, the wine is very full-bodied and concentrated, with tactile tannins, yet remains fresh and flowing at all times. SUPERIORE.DE

"Even on the nose, it is much more complex and interesting than the "normal" Brunello, with ripe candied cherries, fine floral notes, violets, lavender, but also mineral and earthy notes such as iron. Very elegant and quite precise on the palate, intense and present, with wonderfully ripe tannins and sweet berries, showing origin and character with a multi-layered final and powerful Sangiovese spice." Weinwisser

"Intense, finely spiced bouquet with fresh berry flavours, also a floral component; solid texture, the tannin-acid structure in balance, polished finish on notes of stone fruit, tobacco and eucalyptus." Vinum

"Dark, bright ruby red colour. Filigree and multi-layered expression on the nose, reminiscent of raspberries and blackberries, dried tomatoes and balsamic tones. Opens up smoothly on the palate, fine-meshed, grippy tannins at the core, dark fruit, fine balsamic notes, long finish." Falstaff

"Subtle power and plenty of cherry, plum and mineral flavours in this soft red wine, plus a hint of wild herbs. It's quite fluid and open, with a slight tannic abrasion on the lingering finish." Wine Spectator

"Subtle mocha and crushed allspice emerge, then finally wild, red forest berries. The palate is more exuberant, revealing a generous core of pure, delicious raspberries infused with vanilla and liquorice. The gravelly tannins remain firmly anchored and need time to resolve. An appetising, stony finish." Decanter

"The Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa 2019 comes from the hills of Montosoli, opposite the town of Montalcino. It is youthfully moody and dark in the glass, slowly evolving with violet flowers, crushed wild berries and sweet spices. Silky and supple, it swings across the palate with a juicy texture of mineral red fruits, while floral notes resonate on the inside and grippy tannins come in towards the end. The Vigna La Casa finishes long, structured and classically dry, leaving a hint of liquorice and a touch of tart orange lingering on the tongue. The future is very promising, but the 2019 will require a lot of patience." Vinous

"The Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa offers a balanced presentation of candied cherries, dried fruit and toasted spices. This is a beautiful and joyful wine with velvety soft tannins and good internal energy that adds dimension and depth to the mouthfeel. Vigna La Casa is a contemporary expression of Montalcino with added fruit concentration and structure, and the results are carefully balanced throughout." Wine Advocate

"Flavours of blueberries, blackberries and chocolate, yet subtle and perfumed. Full-bodied with chewy tannins and plenty of structure. Shows depth and has a purpose. Needs time to develop soon. Try it after 2027." James Suckling

La Casa 2016 is a terrificwine in deep dark ruby red and a bouquet of small red berries, cedar wood and spicy-scented flowers that opens up for minutes. The palate is precise, taut and finely layered, with silky textures and a palate concert of spicy black cherries, spices, leather, tobacco and tar. Dense yet elegant as it progresses, the fine-grained tannins rounding out its perfect beauty. Very intense and with a wonderful ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"The round dance opens with fine-smelling aromas of raspberries and blossoms; opens with fine-grained tannins and concise acidity, then an extremely linear course to a multi-tonal fruit finish. Very successful." Vinum

"Already the bouquet shows a lot of intensity with ripe plums and dark, candied cherries, plus a bouquet of floral notes, violets, lavender, but also "powerful" notes like iron and blood. Densely built on the palate with present, ripe tannins, sweet berry fruit, showing provenance and vintage with a multi-layered final and punchy Sangiovese spice." Weinwisser

"Powerful, sparkling ruby. Very much present and clear fruit, after fresh plums, dark cherries, fine cloves in the background. Gripping, gripping tannin, spreads out richly, after red berry fruit, slightly malty note in the final." Falstaff

"Rich red fruit, sour cherry, blueberry, seems quite young, raw meat, pithy herbal spice; still very firm pulling tannin on the palate, not too expansive." Meiningers Sommelier

"One of five vineyards sites in the Caparzo stable, Vigna La Casa is located on the Galestro-rich soil of Montalcino’s revered Montosoli hill. Quite primary and fresh, this hints at smoke, cedar and star anise. It is more firmly structured and robust than the estate Brunello, with palpable wood tannins and ripe, dark cherry filling out the palate." Decanter

"Rose, graphite, star anise and eucalyptus aromas come to the forefront. The chiseled, racy palate features juicy morello cherry, licorice and coffee bean framed in close-grained tannins and bright acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Casa takes a little time to collect itself in the glass, pulling you closer as white smoke gives way to crushed stone, then peppery florals, wild strawberry and cedar. The textures are like pure silk, with an elegant display of savory black cherry and spice complicated by salty minerals. This shows amazing density while never feeling heavy, nearly masking its fine-grained tannins until the very end, where hints of orange citrus and dried berries linger. The 2016 La Casa is a beauty with plenty of upside potential." Vinous

"This red displays a mix of macerated plum, cherry, mint, earth, iron and sanguine flavors. In the savory camp, without the purity of many of its peers, at least today, yet harmonious and long, with dusty tannins on the finish. Be patient." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of berry, toffee and chocolate with cherry undertones. It’s full-bodied with a tight, focused palate with ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Tight and polished. Needs bottle age to open and show its true potential." James Suckling