Col d'Orcia

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

Here comes one of Montalcino's most unknown charmers. In the exciting nose barbecue smoke, onion and paprika. On the palate very juicy and well structured, the dark fruit flanked by rosemary and forest soil. Very accessible and yet independent in character and personality. Long and exciting. SUPERIORE.DE

"Blueberry, black-olive and lavender aromas follow through to medium body, firm and silky tannins and a pretty finish. Tight and polished. Drink after 2023." James Suckling

"This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot opens to a darkly saturated color with a deep garnet core and crimson background layers. The Col d'Orcia 2016 Sant'Antimo Nearco shows a lot of Cabernet character with zesty notes, some subtle green highlights and savory crushed black pepper. The 2016 vintage probably falls on the slightly cooler side (definitely compared to 2015 or 2017), and this wine sports a sharp and more precise bouquet as a result. It offers a medium-weight character that feels robust and textured at first but ultimately falls gracefully with its final approach. There's a nice sense off lift-off at the very end." Robert Parker

Bright red with ruby reflections. Aromas of rose petals, small red berries, some mint. On the palate clear, beautiful and complex primary fruit, the tannins smooth and elegant. A medium-weight, but therefore not at all less attractive Brunello with a freshness and overall balance that makes it a remarkable, independent part of the favourites in the excellent year 2015! SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, intense ruby garnet. Opened in the nose with notes of cranberries and goji berries, some saffron, juicy cherry. Hearty, gripping tannin on the palate, gripping, shows emphatically earthy notes, still looks very young." Falstaff

"Tasted blind. Lustrous mid ruby. Quite closed and a little savoury on the nose. Supple and gentle fruit on the palate and still a little shy. Finely sculpted tannins on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Deep red. Forward aromas of tobacco, sweet spices and ripe red cherry on the very inviting nose. Supple, with graceful and polished red fruit and herb flavors that are nicely creamy but lively on the long, expressive finish." Vinous

"The Col d'Orcia 2015 Brunello di Montalcino (made with organic fruit) has a very distinctive aromatic profile with subtle hints of rusty iron and moist potting soil. However, this wine also shows an impressive evolution in the glass with those earthy and sanguine notes lifting to reveal sweet oak tones of vanilla and baking spice that remain pronounced in a second underlayer. To me, Col d'Orcia's wines are almost always characterized by a medicinal or balsamic element, and the primary fruit is downplayed as a result. This vintage puts on a good show with wild berry, blackcurrant and dried blackberry. That said, this wine is more ethereal and spicy than it is fruity per se." Robert Parker

"A full, very layered young Brunello with cherry, floral and light toffee and cedar character. It’s very layered and fine-tannined. Lively acidity and focus. Really attractive dried citrus at the end. From organically grown grapes. Give this two or three years to soften. Try after 2022 and onwards." James Suckling

"This combines the best characteristics of Sangiovese, with cherry and strawberry fruit, earth, leather and iron notes and balsamic elements of wild thyme, rosemary and Mediterranean scrub. Shows a bit of heat on the finish, yet remains fresh and long. Best from 2023 through 2042." Wine Spectator

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. It comes across as seductive and supple on the palate; sweet red fruits are contrasted by fresh, vibrant acidity and savory spice, and its finely woven tannins slowly rise toward the finish. The finish is long, textured and very well balanced with an echo of tart wild berries, a hint of red licorice 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

"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

"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

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. It comes across as seductive and supple on the palate; sweet red fruits are contrasted by fresh, vibrant acidity and savory spice, and its finely woven tannins slowly rise toward the finish. The finish is long, textured and very well balanced with an echo of tart wild berries, a hint of red licorice 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

"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

"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