WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
The 2018 Brunello expresses all the peculiarity of the challenging vintage. In the glass, the wine is deep ruby red in color. On the nose, it is very intense and broad, showing off the typical notes of the denomination: small red berries, black cherries, a hint of spices. In the palate, it is complex and deep, with an elegant and refreshing finish, thanks to the excellent acidity.
TASTING NOTES:
Ripe berries and hints of red licorice and herbs on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate with fine, tightly packed tannins and a taut finish for now. Give it two years to unwind a bit. Try from 2025.
- James Suckling, 93 pts.
The nose puts cherries front and center, intertwined with roses with heavier tar and graphite, before umami flavors of mushroom, balsamic vinegar, seaweed and soy slowly emerge. On the chalky palate, dark chocolate pushes up against the showboating cherries before a kick of spice sets up a long, energetic finish.
- Wine Enthusiast, 93 pts.
Starts out rich, with a touch of glycerol in the texture, before civilized tannins take over on the finish. Offers plum, cherry, earth, tobacco and iron notes that prevail, with a firm grip of tannins on the finish. Best from 2026 through 2043.
- Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
In the far northwest of Montalcino, the expansive Castiglion del Bosco estate sprawls over several hills of varying altitude, exposure and terrain. From 42 hectares designated for Brunello comes this impressive 150,000-bottle production. Rather than exploding with fragrance, the 2018 unveils its evocative floral scents slowly. These reach a crescendo on the palate, melding seamlessly with cheerful pure pomegranate and cherry flavours. Supple tannins are velvety in texture. Unforced and fluid, this is hard to resist now.
- Decanter, 93 pts.
