Ciacci Piccolomini

Ruby red with garnet reflections. Bright, fresh nose of wild cherries, potting soil and blue flowers. Compact, medium-full body with a fresh acid wire and well-integrated tannins. A parade Sangiovese, which does not only cause enthusiasm because of its very attractive price. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby red. In the nose of fragrant raspberries and fine spice, in the aftertaste of rose hips. Shows great juiciness and delicate melting on the palate, opens nicely, accessible and drinkable." Falstaff

"Sweet cherry and floral character with some orange-peel undertones. Light-to medium-bodied with firm tannins and a persistent, focused finish." James Suckling

Rossofonte impressively closes the gap between Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello. Only 6,000 bottles are produced from this selection from the best Rosso sites of the winery at about 300 m above sea level. Fruity aromas of ripe berries with balsamic notes on the nose, plus some brown spices, tobacco and wet rock. Overall, a multi-layered potpourri full of harmony flows from the glass, on the palate it is very balanced, velvety-smooth and the cooling acidity caresses the dark berries, which are rounded off by dried citrus fruits and a hint of mocha. The spicy and very elegant finish is reminiscent of star anise and pink pepper. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. In the nose delicate balsamic hints, hearty dark berry fruit, after mint, light malt and a hint of blackberries. Elegant and polished on the palate, with round, velvety tannin, spreads superbly, noble and long." Falstaff

"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte is the second entry-level Rosso from this creative estate that loves to push the boundaries. This is a great effort, especially considering its price tag and the growing potential of Rosso di Montalcino. Red cherry, raspberry, cedarwood and toasted almond rise from the bouquet. The wine offers a great sense of dimension and depth, with just 6,000 bottles made." Robert Parker

"A medium-bodied red with crushed-berry and chocolate character. Some spices and bark, too. Lots of structure and flavor. This is more like a Brunello!" James Suckling

Ciacci's Brunello di Montalcino 2017 is a very fine and elegant wine. It offers a very pleasing sense of balance, with no one characteristic overpowering the other. The dark ruby red gives the wine an open and inviting personality. On the nose, a subtle mix of aromas of wild berries, blueberries, undergrowth and toasted almonds. The mouthfeel is lean, but also polished and silky persistent. Can mature, but is also a pleasure when young. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. In the nose of blood oranges, rose hips, mint, also eucalyptus, in the aftertaste fine Mediterranean herbs. The palate is polished and elegant, with the finest melting, high drinking fluency with pithy tannins, very well done." Falstaff

"Aromas of cedar, berry, mushroom and burnt orange follow through to a full body with medium, chewy tannins and a fluid, flavorful finish. Not overdone. Drink after 2023." James Suckling

"Generous, layered and rich, the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows the generous fruit and deep layering that identifies this vintage. This edition shows a bright note of sweet cherry that features strongly both on the bouquet and the palate. The wine shows lots of soft fruit with almond, spice and wild rose. From a hot and dry vintage, this Brunello is probably best suited to a near or medium-term drinking window." Robert Parker

"Rich and lively, exuding cherry, plum and blackberry fruit, with accents of earth and underbrush. Harmonious and accessible now, with fine length and a lingering, mineral-tinged finish." Wine Spectator

"This delicious, bold red offers inviting aromas of fragrant blue flowers, spiced plum, forest floor and pipe tobacco. Full and enveloping in feel, it delivers a great depth of juicy black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and baking spice flavors framed in velvety tannins." Wine Enthusiast

With so many fantastic wines produced in the exceptional year 2016, it is hard for us to make a best list. But the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro 2016 is definitely one of them. Only bottled in exceptional years, the single-vineyard Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is a fine and delicate wine with great depth, perfectly balanced power and plenty of drive. It is thoroughly graceful and very elegant, with powerful aromatic intensity followed by firm tannins and a polished, soft texture. This Riserva offers power in the proverbial silken glove. But the wine is by no means simplistic about it. The longer it warms in the glass, the more it delights and surprises us. Delicate tones of wild berries, cassis, blanched almonds and dried ginger work together harmoniously, the final is endless and the lasting impression unforgettable. SUPERIORE.DE

"Seductive raspberry nose, coquettishly underpinned by notes of flowers and herbs; multi-faceted texture, the acidity invigorating, the tannins tight and beautiful, the final full of polish and elegance, the fruit notes beguiling. Great wine that can age." Vinum

"Bright, rich garnet red. Very clear and intense nose, full of ripe raspberries, pickled cherries and some liquorice in the background. Lots of ripe fruit on the palate, shows grippy tannin, firm pressure on the final, long finish of plums." Falstaff

"From the estate’s Pianrosso vineyard in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate area, Santa Caterina d’Oro bears the imprint of Montalcino’s south. The spiced, floral potpourri is tangled with sunbaked terracotta scents. This is a substantial, hefty wine with lots of extract and a profusion of fleshy red plum and prune. The tannins are very suave, while sandy earthiness lurks in the background and a salty tang comes through on the finish." Decanter

"Dark yet wonderfully perfumed, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro blossoms in the glass to present a bouquet of dried strawberries and roses complemented by hints of blood orange and clove. It shows the power and grace of a well-muscled dancer as a dense wave of ripe red and black fruits rushes across the palate, lifted by bright acidity, while leaving a mix of saline-minerals and grippy tannins toward the close. Though structured for the long haul, the 2016 maintains unexpected vibrancy, finishing with hints of plum and almond. This is simply stunning." Vinous

"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." Robert Parker

"Glorious aromas of flowers, nutmeg, dark berries, earth and black cherries follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins that are long and extremely polished. They go on for minutes. Reserved and shy still, due to its excellence. Give this four or five years to come around. Try after 2024." James Suckling

"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 Spectator

The single-vineyard Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro, filled only in exceptional years, is a fine and delicate wine, endowed with great depth, perfectly balanced power and plenty of drive. Mocha, black cherry, smoke, liquorice and dark, fleshy fruits are some of the typical signatures of this extreme growth. Juicy and full-bodied on the palate, it gradually opens up with finely meshed tannin and lots of cherry, showing itself to be highly elegant and describing a wide arc in its overall appearance. The 2015 edition is a particularly dark, deep Brunello that will gain even more tension and finesse during its deserved further maturation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, medium dense garnet red. Opens with notes of pickled cherries and black nuts, fine plum. Builds up firm pressure on the palate, grippy, hearty tannin, plus lots of sweet melting, then seems a little rough and slightly alcoholic on the final." Falstaff

"A selection of bunches from Ciacci Piccolomini's iron-rich Pianrosso vineyard in Montalcino's southeast, this sees a long maceration and ageing in variously sized used Slavonian oak barrels. It strikes a fine balance of generous ripeness with freshness and juiciness. Pure strawberry, cherry and raspberry meet lilac, rose and an underlying minerality. It's fluid and almost easy to drink, though long, powdery tannins expand across the palate giving textural complexity. It leaves the mouth clean but wanting more with an appetising blood orange finish." Decanter

"The 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is a fine and delicate wine that cleverly delivers the intensity of the vintage but without the heaviness or the ripeness. This wine holds back, just enough, to affirm its poised balance in terms of fruit richness, texture and tannic structure. It shows symmetry throughout. Dark cherry fruit, cassis, plum, lavender and campfire ash set the tone. The mouthfeel is thickly woven and generous." Robert Parker

"There's a bright edge to this red, harnessing the cherry, strawberry, rosehip, mineral and tobacco flavors that build on the palate to a long finish. Displays terrific energy and balance, with an aftertaste that echoes both fruit and savory elements." Wine Spectator

"The opulence of fruit and complexity of earth, meat, mushroom and cedar is breathtaking. It's full-bodied, deep and powerful with so much intensity and depth. Chewy and layered, it goes on for minutes. Give it even more time." James Suckling

Piccolomini's single-vineyard Brunello Vigna di Pianrosso 2017 comes from a south-western site of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone at an altitude of about 300 metres. It is beautiful and delicate from the start and spontaneously impresses with its vitality, depth and balance. Compared to the basic Brunello, the wine matures for another year in oak barrels and you can feel the added spice on the nose. Rich spices, leather and tar are followed by dark fruits, plum, blackberry and cassis. The finish is graceful and silky, its length is impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brightening, sparkling garnet red. Opens with emphatically fragrant notes, of fresh dark cherries, some rosehip, fine rose petals, amazingly fresh notes. Round and supple on the attack, opens with beautifully ripened fruit notes, grippy tannin, very well placed." Falstaff

"A nuanced, delicate bouquet of dried strawberries, roses, hints of sweet spice and crushed rocks lifts up from the charming 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso. This is remarkably lifted, yet juicy and energetic, as ripe red berries and minerals cascade across the palate. It leaves a coating of violet-tinged florals, along with persistent raspberry and cherry tones. The tannin management here is absolutely stunning, as the Pianrosso finishes structured yet vividly fresh." Vinous

"This is a beautifully crafted and polished Brunello for this vintage, with full body and creamy, lightly chewy tannins. Dark berries, walnuts and cedar with dried-flower undertones. Needs time to soften, but very pretty. Drink after 2024." James Suckling

"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso shows nice balance and elegance, and it definitely shows the deft hand of the winemaking team in what was not an easy vintage by any stretch. This pretty wine delivers lots of fresh cherry and wild rose, with ferrous earthy, licorice and grilled herb; I also get bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Like the annata 2017 Brunello produced by this estate, the single-vineyard Brunello Pianrosso is distinguished by a sweet cherry note that accompanies the wine from start to finish." Robert Parker

Piccolomini's single-vineyard Brunello Vigna di Pianrosso 2017 comes from a south-western site of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone at an altitude of about 300 metres. It is beautiful and delicate from the start and spontaneously impresses with its vitality, depth and balance. Compared to the basic Brunello, the wine matures for another year in oak barrels and you can feel the added spice on the nose. Rich spices, leather and tar are followed by dark fruits, plum, blackberry and cassis. The finish is graceful and silky, its length is impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brightening, sparkling garnet red. Opens with emphatically fragrant notes, of fresh dark cherries, some rosehip, fine rose petals, amazingly fresh notes. Round and supple on the attack, opens with beautifully ripened fruit notes, grippy tannin, very well placed." Falstaff

"A nuanced, delicate bouquet of dried strawberries, roses, hints of sweet spice and crushed rocks lifts up from the charming 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso. This is remarkably lifted, yet juicy and energetic, as ripe red berries and minerals cascade across the palate. It leaves a coating of violet-tinged florals, along with persistent raspberry and cherry tones. The tannin management here is absolutely stunning, as the Pianrosso finishes structured yet vividly fresh." Vinous

"This is a beautifully crafted and polished Brunello for this vintage, with full body and creamy, lightly chewy tannins. Dark berries, walnuts and cedar with dried-flower undertones. Needs time to soften, but very pretty. Drink after 2024." James Suckling

"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso shows nice balance and elegance, and it definitely shows the deft hand of the winemaking team in what was not an easy vintage by any stretch. This pretty wine delivers lots of fresh cherry and wild rose, with ferrous earthy, licorice and grilled herb; I also get bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Like the annata 2017 Brunello produced by this estate, the single-vineyard Brunello Pianrosso is distinguished by a sweet cherry note that accompanies the wine from start to finish." Robert Parker

Piccolomini's single-vineyard Brunello Vigna di Pianrosso 2017 comes from a south-western site of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate subzone at an altitude of about 300 metres. It is beautiful and delicate from the start and spontaneously impresses with its vitality, depth and balance. Compared to the basic Brunello, the wine matures for another year in oak barrels and you can feel the added spice on the nose. Rich spices, leather and tar are followed by dark fruits, plum, blackberry and cassis. The finish is graceful and silky, its length is impressive. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brightening, sparkling garnet red. Opens with emphatically fragrant notes, of fresh dark cherries, some rosehip, fine rose petals, amazingly fresh notes. Round and supple on the attack, opens with beautifully ripened fruit notes, grippy tannin, very well placed." Falstaff

"A nuanced, delicate bouquet of dried strawberries, roses, hints of sweet spice and crushed rocks lifts up from the charming 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso. This is remarkably lifted, yet juicy and energetic, as ripe red berries and minerals cascade across the palate. It leaves a coating of violet-tinged florals, along with persistent raspberry and cherry tones. The tannin management here is absolutely stunning, as the Pianrosso finishes structured yet vividly fresh." Vinous

"This is a beautifully crafted and polished Brunello for this vintage, with full body and creamy, lightly chewy tannins. Dark berries, walnuts and cedar with dried-flower undertones. Needs time to soften, but very pretty. Drink after 2024." James Suckling

"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso shows nice balance and elegance, and it definitely shows the deft hand of the winemaking team in what was not an easy vintage by any stretch. This pretty wine delivers lots of fresh cherry and wild rose, with ferrous earthy, licorice and grilled herb; I also get bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Like the annata 2017 Brunello produced by this estate, the single-vineyard Brunello Pianrosso is distinguished by a sweet cherry note that accompanies the wine from start to finish." Robert Parker