Brunello lovers know the Ciacci Piccolomini name well for flavor-rich complexity, full-body vinosity, and finely textured tannins, all delivered with elegance intact. The "Santa Caterina d'Oro" Riserva bottling comes from a special selection of their prized Pianrosso vineyard, which brings a whole new level of concentration and clarity. What seals the deal for our top spot is the exceptional 2016 vintage, which has delivered some of the most profound expressions of Brunello in recent history!
While the noble Ciacci-Piccolomini d'Aragona family set the stage for making great Brunellos, things really took off when, having no heirs, Countess Elda Ciacci left everything to her estate manager, Giuseppe Bianchini. Having farmed the land himself over the years, he knew the Pianrosso vineyard to be exceptional enough for its own bottlings. This is the culmination of that insight and hard work.
WINE SPECTATOR 98 POINTS - "Both fluid and concentrated at once, this exudes cherry, black currant, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Saturated with ripe fruit, this has beautifully integrated acidity and tannins, with a racy profile that drives the superlong finish. The tannins flex their muscles at the end yet remain refined."
WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is gorgeous, full stop. It shows an incredible level of Sangiovese purity and sharpness, and you taste the grape as if you were eating berries straight out of the vineyard. On top of that healthy and bright primary material, the wine layers on elegant aromas of spice, ferrous earth, balsam herb and red rose potpourri. The aromas meet with seamless integration and segue to ongoing depth and complexity offered to the palate. This Riserva is rather delicate in terms of mouthfeel; however, it is powerful and long, with high alcohol, polished tannins and a silky texture. A hint of sweet cherry mixed with menthol freshness pulls it together at the end."
While the noble Ciacci-Piccolomini d'Aragona family set the stage for making great Brunellos, things really took off when, having no heirs, Countess Elda Ciacci left everything to her estate manager, Giuseppe Bianchini. Having farmed the land himself over the years, he knew the Pianrosso vineyard to be exceptional enough for its own bottlings. This is the culmination of that insight and hard work.
WINE SPECTATOR 98 POINTS - "Both fluid and concentrated at once, this exudes cherry, black currant, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Saturated with ripe fruit, this has beautifully integrated acidity and tannins, with a racy profile that drives the superlong finish. The tannins flex their muscles at the end yet remain refined."
WINE ADVOCATE 97+ POINTS - "The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is gorgeous, full stop. It shows an incredible level of Sangiovese purity and sharpness, and you taste the grape as if you were eating berries straight out of the vineyard. On top of that healthy and bright primary material, the wine layers on elegant aromas of spice, ferrous earth, balsam herb and red rose potpourri. The aromas meet with seamless integration and segue to ongoing depth and complexity offered to the palate. This Riserva is rather delicate in terms of mouthfeel; however, it is powerful and long, with high alcohol, polished tannins and a silky texture. A hint of sweet cherry mixed with menthol freshness pulls it together at the end."
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