Col d'Orcia

Ruby red, fresh nose of red fruits and spices. Pleasant taste: fruity, balanced in tannin and acidity, very spirited and crisp. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sweet-cherry and orange-peel character, medium body, light tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

"Fruit-driven nose with soft red and black fruit notes over dark chocolate and sweet spice undertones. Full-bodied and dense." Decanter

A Rosso from Montalcino with a strong character and considerable substance. The colour is impenetrable, the bouquet is clean and deep, and the taste is extremely pleasant. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fruity and delicious with black cherries and some stones, as well as flowers. Light body, lightly firm tannins and a fresh finish." James Suckling

A modern red with a complex bouquet of spices, dark berries and cherries, rich, juicy, compact and beautifully balanced and long on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Banditella comes across more like a baby Brunello than a Rosso di Montalcino, with its dark, intense and spicy bouquet that mixes black cherries with cedar, sage and flowery undergrowth. It's silky and pliant in texture yet energetic, with a rush of wild berry fruits complicated by zesty acids and minerals as a coating of round tannins add a tactile grip under an air of lavender and violets. While structured and youthfully dry, there's no harm in checking-in after a short decanting or some time left open in bottle. This is some serious juice." Vinous

"Very aromatic with black cherry and leather, as well as hints of toffee. Medium-bodied with firm, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. A Rosso di Montalcino to drink now, but will also age beautifully." James Suckling

The 2016 edition of Col d'Orcia's Brunello di Montalcino is visually stunning with its brilliant ruby colour in the glass and beguiles the nose with a cornucopia of crushed black cherries with hints of brown spices and sage - finessed by notes of white smoke, cedar and dried roses. On the palate, it is seductive and supple; sweet red fruits are contrasted by fresh and lively acidity and zesty spice, and its finely woven tannins slowly rise towards the finish. The finish is long, structured and very well balanced with an echo of tart wild berries, a hint of red liquorice and pretty flowers. It is already a beautiful wine, but the patient connoisseur will give it a few more years in the cellar. SUPERIORE.DE

"This Brunello regularly belongs to the Best Buys. The bouquet is delicate with red and blue fruits, behind which spicy notes reminiscent of cinnamon and cardamom emerge. In the mouth fuller, denser than the nose would lead one to expect, round and polished, a modern Brunello without rough edges." Weinwisser

"Nobly shining ruby red. In the nose of fresh raspberries and fresh cherries, then lightly of mint and sage, paired with noble spice reverberation. Juicy and clear on the palate, opens on fresh fruit with supportive tannin, lively and polished, still young, drinks very well." Falstaff

"A very polished, refined red with berry and flower aromas, as well as hints of citrus and rose petals. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely polish. Give it a year or two to come around, but already very pretty." James Suckling

"This shows dark fruit and spice, while there's an extra layer of leather or cigar ash at the back. This wine is made with organic fruit. It displays a mid-weight mouthfeel with tight tannins and lively acidity, the kind that will cut through your favorite steak dinner." Robert Parker

"Underbrush, wild-berry, pipe-tobacco and violet aromas lead the nose. On the full-bodied palate, taut tannins support black cherry, licorice and ground clove." Wine Enthusiast

"This starts off as its usual youthfully reductive self, but with plenty of air it displays appealing perfumes of iris, violet and plum. Midweight and elegant, it seems to defy the generous warmth of the estate's southwestern site. Nevertheless, layers of dark fruit wrap around the tight, flinty core while dry, powdery tannins give ample support. The finish lingers with spice and garrigue. I suspect this will age slowly and handsomely." Decanter

"An earthy, meaty version, sporting black cherry, plum, raw beef, iron and bouillon aromas and flavors. The fruit element intensifies on the palate, playing out on a long finish that is balanced and fresh, showing dusty tannins." Wine Spectator

"Dusty earth gives way to dried roses, incense, hints of cedar, sage, currants and black cherries in a display that makes the 2016 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino a very special experience. It's nuanced and perfumed from start to finish, boasting silky textures contrasted by tart berries and minerals, but with sweet tannins that frame the expression perfectly. Its inner sweetness is balanced by bright acids, creating an almost-juicy sensation, right up until the moment you realize that your palate is aching with youthful tension. There's so much going on and much more to come, making me wonder what the Poggio al Vento might offer in the 2016 vintage. For now, that doesn't even matter, because the 2015 Col d'Orcia impresses on nearly every level." Vinous

Delicate garnet reflexes enliven the classic ruby, and the bouquet combines aromas of ripe cherries with notes reminiscent of tobacco and medicinal herbs to create a complex harmony. The taste, interspersed with flawlessly fine tannins, gains an almost sensational fullness in the course of time and is supported by a good acid component. A Riserva like from a picture book. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense garnet red. Very inviting and intense nose of cranberries and pomegranate, some saffron, juicy, fresh cherry. Pithy, very well placed tannin on the palate, fine sweet melt, echoes for a long time, very juicy, has potential for many years." Falstaff

"This shows ripeness and richness of fruit. It’s full-bodied with juicy fruit and a savory finish. Verges on jammy, yet there’s tension and freshness with orange-peel and floral undertones." James Suckling

"Broad shouldered and firmly structured with expressive aromas and flavors of red cherry, flint, blackberry reduction and underbrush. Finishes very long and saline; strikes me as one of the more refined, lightweight versions of Poggio al Vento in years. Lovely wine, and commendably, very much in style of the vintage. I expect this to improve considerably in the years to come: well done." Vinous

"Aromas of underbrush, wild berry, leather, camphor and Mediterranean herb waft out of the glass. The full-bodied palate is still young and primary but shows great aging potential, delivering juicy red cherry, pomegranate, licorice and tobacco set against firm tannins while bright acidity keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento sets this venerable Riserva program squarely back on track thanks to its balanced intensity and classic lines. Like in the other Sangiovese-based wines from this historic Montalcino estate, this wine is distinguished by those estate-specific savory and sanguine notes that recall rusty nail or iron, all followed by balsam herb, powdered licorice and even a touch of eucalyptus oil. The wine's texture is medium in weight and ultimately this expression is more buoyant in mouthfeel than you might initially expect of a wine that has aged for this long." Robert Parker

Delicate garnet reflexes enliven the classic ruby, and the bouquet combines aromas of ripe cherries with notes reminiscent of tobacco and medicinal herbs to create a complex harmony. The taste, interspersed with flawlessly fine tannins, gains an almost sensational fullness in the course of time and is supported by a good acid component. A Riserva like from a picture book. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense garnet red. Very inviting and intense nose of cranberries and pomegranate, some saffron, juicy, fresh cherry. Hearty, very well placed tannin on the palate, fine sweet melt, echoes for a long time, very juicy, has potential for many years." Falstaff

"This shows ripeness and richness of fruit. It’s full-bodied with juicy fruit and a savory finish. Verges on jammy, yet there’s tension and freshness with orange-peel and floral undertones." James Suckling

"Broad shouldered and firmly structured with expressive aromas and flavors of red cherry, flint, blackberry reduction and underbrush. Finishes very long and saline; strikes me as one of the more refined, lightweight versions of Poggio al Vento in years. Lovely wine, and commendably, very much in style of the vintage. I expect this to improve considerably in the years to come: well done." Vinous

"Aromas of underbrush, wild berry, leather, camphor and Mediterranean herb waft out of the glass. The full-bodied palate is still young and primary but shows great aging potential, delivering juicy red cherry, pomegranate, licorice and tobacco set against firm tannins while bright acidity keeps it balanced." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio al Vento sets this venerable Riserva program squarely back on track thanks to its balanced intensity and classic lines. Like in the other Sangiovese-based wines from this historic Montalcino estate, this wine is distinguished by those estate-specific savory and sanguine notes that recall rusty nail or iron, all followed by balsam herb, powdered licorice and even a touch of eucalyptus oil. The wine's texture is medium in weight and ultimately this expression is more buoyant in mouthfeel than you might initially expect of a wine that has aged for this long." Robert Parker