WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Ruby red color with a nose rich in spices with hints of vanilla and nuances of ripe berries. Elegant and harmonious on the palate with good tannins.
TASTING NOTES:
Wearing its ripeness with confidence, the organic Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2021 Brunello di Montalcino delivers dark fruit, black cherry and hints of crème de cassis in a style that leans richer and more concentrated than much of today’s Montalcino landscape. While the wine initially reads as modern or contemporary, it ultimately resolves with an elegant, streamlined momentum that remains faithful to Sangiovese character. The palate balances power with control, avoiding excess despite its generous profile. Fruit is sourced from roughly 10 hectares of vineyards, with total production reaching 38,800 bottles.
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 pts.
A ripe style, sporting plum, blackberry and black currant fruit. Iron, tobacco and menthol notes add interest as this turns more compact on the burly finish. Best from 2029 through 2048.
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Wine Spectator, 93 pts.
A medium-bodied red with sliced cherries, orange peel and some strawberries. It shows some wood now and the tannins are firm, giving it length and structure. Slightly astringent. Needs to soften with bottle age. From organically grown grapes. Try after 2028.
- James Suckling, 92 pts.
A scion of Fattoria dei Barbi’s Cinelli Colombini family, Donatella broke away in 1998 to establish her eponymous label. The female-led crew includes her daughter Violante as well as French winemaker Valérie Lavigne. The 2021 Brunello is a study in duality. Savoury versus sweet nuances see iron and soy mingling with baking spice and prune. This is midweight yet brawny. The mature, mellowed fruit meets vigorous, slightly rigid tannins. These soften somewhat on the back end where cool acidity rises, carrying a blast of dark currant compote. Despite a sturdy structure, it will be best over the next eight years.
- Decanter, 90 pts.
