Mastrojanni

Translucent ruby and weightless in the glass, it captivates the senses with racy cherry and wildflower aromas, mint and lavender scents. Harmonious, round and finely fruity on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Noble shining ruby red. In the nose of fine citrus fruit, blood oranges, floral hints, raspberry jelly, vanilla sugar. On the palate with racy acidity, spreads red berry-like over the tongue, then seems somewhat overcast and delicately bitter on the finish." Falstaff

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino shows deep red fruits and dusty florals with hints of white smoke and licorice. This soothes with depths of silky texture giving way to tart red berries and savory spices over energizing acidity. It tapers off rosy with hints of sour citrus and sweet tannins that frame the experience nicely." Vinous

"The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino shows that great strides have been made to this program. The wine reveals a medium dark ruby color with dried cherry and cassis. There is definitely more richness and concentration here, and the wine drinks like the proverbial baby Brunello (including a powerful 14.5% alcohol). You'd do well to serve it with pici pasta with a slow-simmered sauce made with game meat. Unlike most of its peers, this wine flaunts ample structure and depth. This is a terrific Rosso." Robert Parker

"Absolutely delicious, this smooth, full-bodied red delivers juicy blackberry, baked plum and ripe Marasca cherry interwoven with tobacco and licorice. Balsamic notes of cedar and camphor add depth while firm but polished tannins lend structure and seamless support. It's already enjoyable but will also offer years of pleasure." Wine Enthusiast

Brunello 2012 by Mastrojanni seduces with beautiful charisma, intensity and finesse. Characterful bouquet of sweet cherries, Mediterranean herbs, smoke and tobacco. The splendid fruit and the tightly woven tannins are carried by a light acidity. Very good storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A multi-facetted nose of plums, leather and tobacco; juicy in the mouth, the acidity perceptible, the tannin well integrated, racy and powerful, without forgetting the finesse." Vinum

"A very typical Brunello with berry and tobacco character plus hints of cedar. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic. Needs time to soften and come together. Savory wine." James Suckling

"Mid ruby with bright bricky rim. Open, red-fruit nose and solid fruit palate. Grainy tannins that are a little demanding right now. Building up in complexity on the finish." Jancis Robinson

"Beautifully saturated and dark, the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino offers a distinctively sophisticated personality. There's an air of nobility that is natural to Brunello, but that comes in limited supply in this warm vintage. You definitely get it here. The wine's bouquet offers a compelling medley of dark fruit tones that shift into savory spicy and balsam herb. Those automatic transitions are smooth and seamless. Another nice quality of the wine is that no one element overpowers or overshadows the other. It offers a great sense of balance. This wine has many cards to play and I am confident it will play them well over the next ten years of its evolution." Robert Parker

"Luminous red. Highly complex nose offers aromas of red cherry, raspberry, flint and violet, plus a touch of beef bouillon; this is a candidate for the most complex nose of the vintage. Then textbook Sangiovese flavors of flinty red cherries, licorice and minerals. Long and clean on the perfumed, highly mineral finish." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

Characterful bouquet of sweet cherries, Mediterranean herbs, smoke and tobacco. The splendid fruit and the tightly woven tannins are carried by a light acidity. Mastrojannis Brunello of the Year 2013 seduces with wonderful charisma, intensity and finesse. Very good storage potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Quite dark red; with aeration fruit, gum, dried fruit, depth; round base, juicy acidity, fine, length, round tannin." Merum

"Plenty of dried fruits on the nose with cedar and flowers that follow through to a full body, layered tannins and an intense finish. Hints of raisins." James Suckling

"This is plump, with cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors, nicely balanced by a dense matrix of tannins. Tips slightly toward the dry side on the finish, yet stays fresh and long." Wine Spectator

"Mastrojanni's 2013 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a very precise and focused aromatic profile. This is a signature touch from this outstanding estate that, year in and year out, produces some of the best Brunello you can buy. Wild berries and cherries rise from the bouquet in an elegant flutter. Those tones are followed by spice, leather, rosemary and medicinal herb. The wine is streamlined, polished and smooth in terms of mouthfeel." Robert Parker

"Bright ruby-red. Aromas of raspberry, red currant and fresh herbs are complicated by roast coffee, licorice and mocha. Plush, pliant and sweet, offering seductive red berry, coffee and tobacco flavors lifted by a candied violet note. The long, smooth but vibrant finish features sweet tannins, a whiff of herbs and outstanding length." Antonio Galloni

"Agronomist/oenologist Andrea Machetti has been managing this property since 1992, although it was purchased by the Illy coffee group in 2008. The vineyards are close to Castelnuovo dell'Abate, where the soil is predominantly clay with a complex mix of marine salt, tuff, river pebbles and sand. Besides flavours of tobacco, dried sage and forest berries, this has a saline edge and a tanginess that gives plenty of vibrancy and length. Nicely framed by well-managed tannins." Decanter

"Mid ruby with bright, bricky tinges. Balsamic and almost a little medicinal on the nose. Ripe, concentrated fruit tightly packed with fine, grainy tannins. Impressive balance, staying power and youth." Jancis Robinson

Mastrojanni repeatedly shows, and not only in excellent vintages like this one, that the Brunello from this house belongs to the very great ones of the appellation. With a lot of tailwind from the exceptional year of 2016, it crosses the finish line even earlier than many others and reveals anew that the wines from this house are anything but average. It flirts playfully with the attributes that make a Sangiovese Grosso so lovable: You have all the components in the bouquet and on the tongue that have made the richness and class of this wine so famous, and yet it is different: it is rich but at the same time controlled, it is opulent and yet always aristocratic - it gives away just as much as its distinguished restraint allows. And that is exactly why it is one of our favourites of the vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"In the expansive bouquet, red and blue fruits (wild berries, plum) mingle with earthy and ethereal-herbal aromas. Finely marked palate with juicy, fresh, never opulent fruit, elegantly framed by grippy, polished tannins and supporting freshness." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. Open-hearted and inviting nose of ripe wild berries, raspberries and pomegranate, underpinned by a discreet hint of mint, reverberating with icing sugar. On the palate clear and with red berry fruit, opens elegantly and flows finesse-rich over the tongue, beautiful length, very coherent." Falstaff

"The core of cherry and plum flavors is framed by tar, earth and tobacco in this robust red, whose ripe fruit stands up easily to the foundation of drying, dusty tannins. Fruit, earth and iron accents converge on the finish. Put this away for a few years." Wine Spectator

"Lots of savory tones to this with aromas of mushrooms, beetroot and dried leaves. Intensely flavorful with a unique umami quality. Olives and porcini mushrooms. This is full-to medium-bodied with chewy tannins. A little lean at the end now, but the tannins will soften nicely. Racy." James Suckling

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and velvety in appearance, boasting rich fruit concentration. The bouquet shows dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather, tar and all the good things you get when Brunello lives a trouble-free childhood in the winery. I recall the 2015 vintage showing enhanced density and richness, and this wine unfolds in a very similar manner. Perhaps the difference between the two vintages is more clearly enunciated in terms of mouthfeel. This 2016 vintage gives the impression of being more linear, tight and structured. Elegant mineral tones define the long and polished finish." Robert Parker

"Earthy aromas of underbrush, wild herb and rose mingle with woodland berry and toasted nut on this full-bodied red. Combining finesse, structure and concentration, the smooth palate doles out ripe morello cherry, licorice and bitter almond alongside a backbone of firm but refined tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Mastrojanni's Brunello 2017 stands out for its intensity, finesse and balance. Bright, lively fruit tones, piquant spice and taut tannins give an excellent overall impression. In addition to firm pressure on the palate, it already has a suppleness and freshness that make it one of the best examples of the 2017 vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has depth to its aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, iron, spice and tobacco. Though vibrant, it also has a layer of firm tannins that provide grip and structure. Features a fine aftertaste of iron, sanguine and tobacco elements." Wine Spectator

"Mastrojanni has created my all-time favorite Brunello packaging. A simple white label is embellished with an individually applied red wax seal. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is just as beautiful on the inside. This ample 65,000-bottle release absolutely defies the vintage expectations. There's so much vibrant fruit here and freshness. The wine is textured and firm with plenty of creamy weight to soften it out. This is a phenomenal interpretation of the 2017 growing season." Robert Parker

"Delicious and elegantly structured, this gorgeous red offers enticing scents of fragrant blue flowers, forest floor, wild berries and new leather. On the full-bodied palate, taut, fine-grained tannins provide finesse and a polished framework for ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and the barest hint of mocha." Wine Enthusiast

Brunello Vigna Loreto 2012 with smoky bouquet and hearty aromas of herbs and graphite. Dense and compact on the palate. Deep dark, ripe fruit, well structured with silky tannins and long intense finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A tight and compressed ripe wine with spices, berries and ripe fruit. Medium body, a solid core of fruit and a long and flavorful finish. Subtle and structured." James Suckling

"Rich, full of cherry and raspberry fruit and augmented by tobacco, spice and mineral flavors. Harmonious and long, this has all the elements to age well and develop greater complexity and nuance." Wine Spectator

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto sees fruit sourced from a vineyard site located on a sunny, east-facing slope just in front of the new winery. The well-draining limestone soils make for even ripening of fruit and contribute to the wine's rich suppleness. Dried cherry and blackberry segues to spice, cured leather, tar and cola. The wine is darkly concentrated and powerful." Robert Parker

"Good full red. Intense aromas of red cherry, sweet spices, coffee and herbs; this is richer and deeper than the classico Brunello. Then more austere on the palate and less forthcoming presently than that wine, with minerally red cherry and forest floor flavors. Finishes very long, clean and very saline. This will repay cellaring for a decade or so." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

Smoky bouquet and hearty aromas of herbs and graphite. Dense and compact on the palate. Deep dark, ripe fruit, well structured with silky tannins and long intense finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny ruby garnet. Attractive nose with nicely ripened fruit notes, of dark cherries, some pickled plums, lots of blackberries, in the background fine cloves. On the palate much fine-meshed tannin, very well integrated, appears polished and clear, crisp cherry, echoes long after." Falstaff

"A juicy wine with a wealth of dried cherry and hints of watermelon. Orange peel, too. Full body, layered and delicious." James Suckling

"Round and saturated with cherry, strawberry, leather, iron and earth flavors, this red is vivid and well-built. It's focused too, with a long earth, underbrush and mineral aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is a darkly saturated and finely textured expression of Sangiovese from a cool and graceful vintage. The bouquet sings loud with dark cherry and blackberry followed by spice, leather and cured tobacco. There are plenty of balsam and floral highlights to add subtle detailing at the back. This is a great example of the elegance achieved in 2013." Robert Parker

"Mid ruby with bright bricky tinges. Tight and closed on the nose and equally slow to open up on the palate. Depth and complexity on the finish with juicy acidity and grainy tannins." Jancis Robinson

Brilliant Brunello from the picture book vintage 2015, its rich bouquet brings together all the positive characteristics of the Sangiovese grape: small red berries, spicy herbs, liquorice, tobacco and smoke. Despite its freshness, it is dark, intense and deep to the core. Its structure and power will certainly only fully reveal itself with a few years, but well ventilated it is already a prime example of this outstanding vintage in terms of character and balance. SUPERIORE.DE

"Attractive scent of red forest fruits, leather and flowers; elegant, homogeneous structure, the fine-grained tannins and acidity in perfect balance, multi-faceted the final. Lage-Brunello from the Vigna of the same name, which can also convince this year." Vinum

"Bright, rich garnet red. Attractive nose with rich, ripe berry notes, lots of blackberry, some plum, present and clear. Full and powerful in the beginning and the course, the palate is covered with fine tannin, good bite, salty in the final." Falstaff

"Shows extracted tannins and dried fruit with spice, meat and floral undertones. The full-bodied, rich palate needs time to soften. A solid, stoic wine. Better after 2022." James Suckling

"Expressive aromas of strawberry, black cherry, black currant and rose are the hallmarks of this elegant Brunello. Though firm and slightly lean, this is balanced and possesses the requisite ripe fruit to match the dusty tannins. Lively acidity helps to keep this focused. Offers a long, mineral-tinged aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will fit the bill. It offers profound richness and texture that is laced with black fruit, spice and tobacco. This wine moves one step beyond the comforting boundaries of Brunello in terms of both richness and extraction. If you are going to go big, you might as well do so in style. Only 8,000 bottles were released." Robert Parker

"Mastrojanni's 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows depths of dusty red berry fruit and subtle spice, with minty herbs, crushed stone, sweet tobacco and the slightest hint of animal musk, all in a remarkably pretty expression. On the palate, I find silky textures with cool-toned red fruits, savory spice, saline-minerals, and energizing acidity, in an expression that is both polished yet also firmly rooted in the earth, as it glides effortlessly across the senses. The finish is long, showing ripe red fruits, salty-savory-minerals, leather, and wonderfully balanced tannins. It is so pleasurable already, yet full of potential." Vinous

Once upon a time, there was a vineyard that was particularly pampered by the sun of Montalcino; it still bears the name Vigna Loreto. Only in the best vintages does a Brunello come from this exposed site that is bursting with richness, complexity and assertiveness. It has a textural depth and at the same time a balance that is intoxicating. Fruit, spice and very distinctive nuances such as spicy herbs, liquorice, tobacco and firm tannins make this impressive wine monument linger long on the palate and in the memory. With each sip, it opens up further layers and you might almost sink into it, so much do the boundaries of what is comparable shift. The 2016 Vigna Loreto is hard to beat in personality and expressiveness, it is something really great and you don't experience that every day! SUPERIORE.DE

"Engaging bouquet of red berries and violets, leather and tobacco; juicy on the palate, the acidity and tannins in balance, the finish polished and fruity. For all its elegance, also a lot of independent character." Vinum

"Sparkling, rich garnet red. Attractive and accessible nose with rich notes of ripe cherries, wild raspberry and some leather, exciting. Also shows great tension on the palate, grippy tannin in many layers, hearty and deep, shows very good density, present fruit, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Fragrant purple-flower, pipe-tobacco, camphor and new leather aromas take shape on this full-bodied red. Firmly structured, the youthfully austere palate offers dried cherry, licorice and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive, close-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"A complex, powerful nose with dried bay leaf and fresh rosemary, liquorice, fennel and robust red plum and dried tomato fruit. Ripe tannins and a long, leathery finish." Decanter

"This suave and velvety red boasts cherry, leather, earth, tobacco and woodsy aromas and flavors. Verging on creamy, the texture showcases the ripe, macerated cherry fruit, ending with a dusting of tannins. Offers fine overall balance and length." Wine Spectator

"This has a pleasantly dusty nose of dried raspberries, cloves and sandalwood. Refined tannins. Crushed red berries and some tobacco leaf on the palate lend elegance to this full-bodied red." James Suckling

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto wafts up with a gorgeous display of crushed stone, graphite and exotic savory spices before giving way to citrus-tinged cherries, cinnamon and clove. It's silky-smooth and medium in body with a weighty density to its polished yet compact dark red and black fruits, all perfectly framed by juicy acids. Minerals, spiced orange and purple inner florals amass toward the close, as fine tannins slowly saturate, creating a dry yet wonderfully balanced expression through the finale." Vinous

"The Vigna Loreto, located on the slope in front of the Mastrojanni winery, is the estate's showpiece vineyard, not only because it is positioned in full view of incoming visitors but also because of its ideal southeast-facing exposures. It is 1.58 hectares in size and has pebbles and tufo. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto (with 8,000 bottles produced) is awash in sunlight and Tuscan luminosity, resulting in a ripe and fruit-forward Brunello that never shies away in terms of richness or intensity. Indeed, the wine delivers a special level of power that transcends the bouquet and the palate, resulting in dark fruit, spice, leather, cured tobacco and rosemary essence. The tannins are firm but integrated and otherwise tucked into the ample flesh of the wine." Robert Parker

The approx. 1.6 hectare single vineyard Loreto is situated on a slope directly next to the winery and has an ideal south-east exposure. Bright berry bouquet with notes of ripe cherries, plums, cassis, leather and spices. The rich palate reveals warm tones of game, Indian spices and cured meat, topped with a surprising intensity of bright red cherries. An extremely well-balanced and long Brunello that truly does not lack power and character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a pronounced garnet rim. Impressive nose with notes of tobacco, dark wild raspberries and some leather. Lots of melting on the palate, ripe berry fruit, opens up with fine-meshed tannin in many layers, long finish." Falstaff

"Cherry and orange peel with some fresh herbs follow through to a medium to full body with a compressed, polished palate and a long, firmly structured finish that gives the wine form and texture for the vintage." James Suckling

"While Mastrojanni will not be releasing its iconic Schiena d'Asino bottling in 2017, the estate produced a lovely Vigna Loreto. The 1.5ha parcel was planted in 2000 with seven different clones bearing small berries. It offers an intriguing mix of florals and cocoa with blood and iron. The tannins are polished without being too polite, wrapping around a core of dense blackberry. Despite its fruit concentration, this remains midweight and tangy, with a mineral, savoury drive. It's well worth seeking out in this vintage." Decanter

"The Mastrojanni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is another terrific interpretation of this hot and dry vintage, only in this case the grapes come from a special southeast-facing plot. Vigna Loreto is tonic, sharp and focused but also generous and open-knit. It offers a broad display of black and purple fruits, along with spice, peat moss and crushed flowers. Few producers were able to achieve this level of elegance in 2017." Robert Parker

Vigna Schiena d'Asino from the house Mastrojanni is a modern Brunello in Riserva quality. Wonderfully pure fruit, which plays out all the advantages of Sangiovese. Intense aromas of light cherries, balsamic notes of anise and spices. Nuanced and balanced on the palate, it has a long and crystalline aftertaste - a great and rare wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is packed with sweet cherry, currant, spice and licorice notes, well-matched to the fine-grained tannins. Balanced and taut, lingering on an aftertaste that reveals stone and spice details." Wine Spectator

"Decadent aromas of ripe fruit, coffee and spices follow through to a full body, round and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to open but already delicious." James Suckling

Mastrojanni repeatedly shows, and not only in excellent vintages like this one, that the Brunello from this house belongs to the very great ones of the appellation. With a lot of tailwind from the exceptional year of 2016, it crosses the finish line even earlier than many others and reveals anew that the wines from this house are anything but average. It flirts playfully with the attributes that make a Sangiovese Grosso so lovable: You have all the components in the bouquet and on the tongue that have made the richness and class of this wine so famous, and yet it is different: it is rich but at the same time controlled, it is opulent and yet always aristocratic - it gives away just as much as its distinguished restraint allows. And that is exactly why it is one of our favourites of the vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"In the expansive bouquet, red and blue fruits (wild berries, plum) mingle with earthy and ethereal-herbal aromas. Finely marked palate with juicy, fresh, never opulent fruit, elegantly framed by grippy, polished tannins and supporting freshness." Weinwisser

"Bright ruby red. Open-hearted and inviting nose of ripe wild berries, raspberries and pomegranate, underpinned by a discreet hint of mint, reverberating with icing sugar. On the palate clear and with red berry fruit, opens elegantly and flows finesse-rich over the tongue, beautiful length, very coherent." Falstaff

"The core of cherry and plum flavors is framed by tar, earth and tobacco in this robust red, whose ripe fruit stands up easily to the foundation of drying, dusty tannins. Fruit, earth and iron accents converge on the finish. Put this away for a few years." Wine Spectator

"Lots of savory tones to this with aromas of mushrooms, beetroot and dried leaves. Intensely flavorful with a unique umami quality. Olives and porcini mushrooms. This is full-to medium-bodied with chewy tannins. A little lean at the end now, but the tannins will soften nicely. Racy." James Suckling

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and velvety in appearance, boasting rich fruit concentration. The bouquet shows dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather, tar and all the good things you get when Brunello lives a trouble-free childhood in the winery. I recall the 2015 vintage showing enhanced density and richness, and this wine unfolds in a very similar manner. Perhaps the difference between the two vintages is more clearly enunciated in terms of mouthfeel. This 2016 vintage gives the impression of being more linear, tight and structured. Elegant mineral tones define the long and polished finish." Robert Parker

"Earthy aromas of underbrush, wild herb and rose mingle with woodland berry and toasted nut on this full-bodied red. Combining finesse, structure and concentration, the smooth palate doles out ripe morello cherry, licorice and bitter almond alongside a backbone of firm but refined tannins." Wine Enthusiast

Mastrojanni's Brunello 2017 stands out for its intensity, finesse and balance. Bright, lively fruit tones, piquant spice and taut tannins give an excellent overall impression. In addition to firm pressure on the palate, it already has a suppleness and freshness that make it one of the best examples of the 2017 vintage. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has depth to its aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, iron, spice and tobacco. Though vibrant, it also has a layer of firm tannins that provide grip and structure. Features a fine aftertaste of iron, sanguine and tobacco elements." Wine Spectator

"Mastrojanni has created my all-time favorite Brunello packaging. A simple white label is embellished with an individually applied red wax seal. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is just as beautiful on the inside. This ample 65,000-bottle release absolutely defies the vintage expectations. There's so much vibrant fruit here and freshness. The wine is textured and firm with plenty of creamy weight to soften it out. This is a phenomenal interpretation of the 2017 growing season." Robert Parker

"Delicious and elegantly structured, this gorgeous red offers enticing scents of fragrant blue flowers, forest floor, wild berries and new leather. On the full-bodied palate, taut, fine-grained tannins provide finesse and a polished framework for ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and the barest hint of mocha." Wine Enthusiast

Schiena d'Asino is a small vineyard from which this fabulous Brunello is produced exclusively in excellent years. Schiena captivates with its richness and overall intensity and is endowed with a lot of energy and varietal purity. Sage, rosemary and a host of Mediterranean herbs open up first, followed by graphite, smoke, incense, dark spices and black stone fruits. Wild, intensely mineral notes underpin the fruit and capture the essence of the great site. For an exceptional wine, this Brunello remains remarkably light on its feet, yet it is an introspective, brooding wine that will need at least a few years to show all it has to offer. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby garnet. Finely marked nose with notes of rose petals, some raspberry, fine spice in the background. Builds up richly on the palate, dark berry fruit, opens with grippy, dense tannin, still shows itself very young." Falstaff

"Developing mid ruby. Brooding and intense on the nose with hints of graphite and filled out by oak. Full mouth of juicy, spicy cherry fruit framed by bags of delicious, chewy tannins. Very long and deep and gorgeously balanced. Tactile fireworks. Ready now but will hold." Jancis Robinson

"This is structured and muscular, yet in a toned and polished way. It’s full-bodied with a linear and racy nature, showing focused black-cherry, orange-peel and berry character. Flavorful and extremely long. Better after 2024." James Suckling

"Forest floor, violet and camphor aromas come to the forefront along with whiffs of toasted nut on this full-bodied red. It's elegant and structured, featuring dried cherry, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, fine-grained tannins, while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"A lithe, focused red, evoking strawberry, cherry, currant, spice and tobacco flavors. Shows intensity and grip, with accents of leather and licorice chiming in on the finish. Well-structured and lingers on the chalky, mineral aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Planted in 1978, the 1.2ha Schiena d’Asino plot boasts a southeast to southwest exposition reaching almost 400 metres above sea level on stony, clay soil. Long ageing in 16-hectolitre French oak casks is followed by a year in bottle before release. The 2016 surfaces from its shell slowly and beguilingly, bestowing dried lavender, sage blossom and mint with a heady suggestion of truffles. The rich, dark red-fruited palate is framed by sandy, dusty tannins. Some heat rises on the mid-palate but is soaked up by plush layers, finishing on a salty liquorice note." Decanter

"The late-release 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino captivates with a display of sweet smoke and crushed stone giving way to dusty black raspberry and savory herbs. It’s silky-smooth and cool-toned, peppering the senses with mineral-tinged woodland berries and hints of spice. Grippy tannins build toward the close, saturating the palate beneath red inner florals. This tapers off with heroic structure but also the primary fruits to balance. The 2016 Vigna Schiena d’Aine is a dark stallion of a Brunello that's packed full of potential." Vinous

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino (with only 6,000 bottles made) is a joy. This classic 2016 vintage was extremely kind to Sangiovese, but not all producers were able to harness this level of varietal purity, elegance and sheer energy. This soulful wine is indeed best characterized by its inner electricity. The "donkey's back," or Schiena d'Asino, is a special vineyard site where grapes enjoy long sun hours and cool nighttime temperatures." Robert Parker

Once upon a time, there was a vineyard that was particularly pampered by the sun of Montalcino; it still bears the name Vigna Loreto. Only in the best vintages does a Brunello come from this exposed site that is bursting with richness, complexity and assertiveness. It has a textural depth and at the same time a balance that is intoxicating. Fruit, spice and very distinctive nuances such as spicy herbs, liquorice, tobacco and firm tannins make this impressive wine monument linger long on the palate and in the memory. With each sip, it opens up further layers and you might almost sink into it, so much do the boundaries of what is comparable shift. The 2016 Vigna Loreto is hard to beat in personality and expressiveness, it is something really great and you don't experience that every day! SUPERIORE.DE

"Engaging bouquet of red berries and violets, leather and tobacco; juicy on the palate, the acidity and tannins in balance, the finish polished and fruity. For all its elegance, also a lot of independent character." Vinum

"Sparkling, rich garnet red. Attractive and accessible nose with rich notes of ripe cherries, wild raspberry and some leather, exciting. Also shows great tension on the palate, grippy tannin in many layers, hearty and deep, shows very good density, present fruit, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Fragrant purple-flower, pipe-tobacco, camphor and new leather aromas take shape on this full-bodied red. Firmly structured, the youthfully austere palate offers dried cherry, licorice and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive, close-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"A complex, powerful nose with dried bay leaf and fresh rosemary, liquorice, fennel and robust red plum and dried tomato fruit. Ripe tannins and a long, leathery finish." Decanter

"This suave and velvety red boasts cherry, leather, earth, tobacco and woodsy aromas and flavors. Verging on creamy, the texture showcases the ripe, macerated cherry fruit, ending with a dusting of tannins. Offers fine overall balance and length." Wine Spectator

"This has a pleasantly dusty nose of dried raspberries, cloves and sandalwood. Refined tannins. Crushed red berries and some tobacco leaf on the palate lend elegance to this full-bodied red." James Suckling

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto wafts up with a gorgeous display of crushed stone, graphite and exotic savory spices before giving way to citrus-tinged cherries, cinnamon and clove. It's silky-smooth and medium in body with a weighty density to its polished yet compact dark red and black fruits, all perfectly framed by juicy acids. Minerals, spiced orange and purple inner florals amass toward the close, as fine tannins slowly saturate, creating a dry yet wonderfully balanced expression through the finale." Vinous

"The Vigna Loreto, located on the slope in front of the Mastrojanni winery, is the estate's showpiece vineyard, not only because it is positioned in full view of incoming visitors but also because of its ideal southeast-facing exposures. It is 1.58 hectares in size and has pebbles and tufo. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto (with 8,000 bottles produced) is awash in sunlight and Tuscan luminosity, resulting in a ripe and fruit-forward Brunello that never shies away in terms of richness or intensity. Indeed, the wine delivers a special level of power that transcends the bouquet and the palate, resulting in dark fruit, spice, leather, cured tobacco and rosemary essence. The tannins are firm but integrated and otherwise tucked into the ample flesh of the wine." Robert Parker

The approx. 1.6 hectare single vineyard Loreto is situated on a slope directly next to the winery and has an ideal south-east exposure. Bright berry bouquet with notes of ripe cherries, plums, cassis, leather and spices. The rich palate reveals warm tones of game, Indian spices and cured meat, topped with a surprising intensity of bright red cherries. An extremely well-balanced and long Brunello that truly does not lack power and character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a pronounced garnet rim. Impressive nose with notes of tobacco, dark wild raspberries and some leather. Lots of melting on the palate, ripe berry fruit, opens up with fine-meshed tannin in many layers, long finish." Falstaff

"Cherry and orange peel with some fresh herbs follow through to a medium to full body with a compressed, polished palate and a long, firmly structured finish that gives the wine form and texture for the vintage." James Suckling

"While Mastrojanni will not be releasing its iconic Schiena d'Asino bottling in 2017, the estate produced a lovely Vigna Loreto. The 1.5ha parcel was planted in 2000 with seven different clones bearing small berries. It offers an intriguing mix of florals and cocoa with blood and iron. The tannins are polished without being too polite, wrapping around a core of dense blackberry. Despite its fruit concentration, this remains midweight and tangy, with a mineral, savoury drive. It's well worth seeking out in this vintage." Decanter

"The Mastrojanni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is another terrific interpretation of this hot and dry vintage, only in this case the grapes come from a special southeast-facing plot. Vigna Loreto is tonic, sharp and focused but also generous and open-knit. It offers a broad display of black and purple fruits, along with spice, peat moss and crushed flowers. Few producers were able to achieve this level of elegance in 2017." Robert Parker

Schiena d'Asino is a small vineyard from which this fabulous Brunello is produced exclusively in excellent years. Schiena captivates with its richness and overall intensity and is endowed with a lot of energy and varietal purity. Sage, rosemary and a host of Mediterranean herbs open up first, followed by graphite, smoke, incense, dark spices and black stone fruits. Wild, intense mineral notes underpin the fruit and capture the essence of the great site. For an exceptional wine, this Brunello remains remarkably light on its feet, yet it is an introspective, brooding wine that will need at least a few years to show all it has to offer. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, rich ruby garnet. Finely marked nose with notes of rose petals, some raspberry, fine spice in the background. Builds up richly on the palate, dark berry fruit, opens with grippy, dense tannin, still shows itself very young." Falstaff

"Developing mid ruby. Brooding and intense on the nose with hints of graphite and filled out by oak. Full mouth of juicy, spicy cherry fruit framed by bags of delicious, chewy tannins. Very long and deep and gorgeously balanced. Tactile fireworks. Ready now but will hold." Jancis Robinson

"This is structured and muscular, yet in a toned and polished way. It’s full-bodied with a linear and racy nature, showing focused black-cherry, orange-peel and berry character. Flavorful and extremely long. Better after 2024." James Suckling

"Forest floor, violet and camphor aromas come to the forefront along with whiffs of toasted nut on this full-bodied red. It's elegant and structured, featuring dried cherry, tobacco and licorice framed in tightly knit, fine-grained tannins, while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop." Wine Enthusiast

"A lithe, focused red, evoking strawberry, cherry, currant, spice and tobacco flavors. Shows intensity and grip, with accents of leather and licorice chiming in on the finish. Well-structured and lingers on the chalky, mineral aftertaste." Wine Spectator

"Planted in 1978, the 1.2ha Schiena d’Asino plot boasts a southeast to southwest exposition reaching almost 400 metres above sea level on stony, clay soil. Long ageing in 16-hectolitre French oak casks is followed by a year in bottle before release. The 2016 surfaces from its shell slowly and beguilingly, bestowing dried lavender, sage blossom and mint with a heady suggestion of truffles. The rich, dark red-fruited palate is framed by sandy, dusty tannins. Some heat rises on the mid-palate but is soaked up by plush layers, finishing on a salty liquorice note." Decanter

"The late-release 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino captivates with a display of sweet smoke and crushed stone giving way to dusty black raspberry and savory herbs. It’s silky-smooth and cool-toned, peppering the senses with mineral-tinged woodland berries and hints of spice. Grippy tannins build toward the close, saturating the palate beneath red inner florals. This tapers off with heroic structure but also the primary fruits to balance. The 2016 Vigna Schiena d’Aine is a dark stallion of a Brunello that's packed full of potential." Vinous

"The Mastrojanni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino (with only 6,000 bottles made) is a joy. This classic 2016 vintage was extremely kind to Sangiovese, but not all producers were able to harness this level of varietal purity, elegance and sheer energy. This soulful wine is indeed best characterized by its inner electricity. The "donkey's back," or Schiena d'Asino, is a special vineyard site where grapes enjoy long sun hours and cool nighttime temperatures." Robert Parker

The approx. 1.6 hectare single vineyard Loreto is situated on a slope directly next to the winery and has an ideal south-east exposure. Bright berry bouquet with notes of ripe cherries, plums, cassis, leather and spices. The rich palate reveals warm tones of game, Indian spices and cured meat, topped with a surprising intensity of bright red cherries. An extremely well-balanced and long Brunello that truly does not lack power and character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling ruby with a pronounced garnet rim. Impressive nose with notes of tobacco, dark wild raspberries and some leather. Lots of melting on the palate, ripe berry fruit, opens up with fine-meshed tannin in many layers, long finish." Falstaff

"Cherry and orange peel with some fresh herbs follow through to a medium to full body with a compressed, polished palate and a long, firmly structured finish that gives the wine form and texture for the vintage." James Suckling

"While Mastrojanni will not be releasing its iconic Schiena d'Asino bottling in 2017, the estate produced a lovely Vigna Loreto. The 1.5ha parcel was planted in 2000 with seven different clones bearing small berries. It offers an intriguing mix of florals and cocoa with blood and iron. The tannins are polished without being too polite, wrapping around a core of dense blackberry. Despite its fruit concentration, this remains midweight and tangy, with a mineral, savoury drive. It's well worth seeking out in this vintage." Decanter

"The Mastrojanni 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto is another terrific interpretation of this hot and dry vintage, only in this case the grapes come from a special southeast-facing plot. Vigna Loreto is tonic, sharp and focused but also generous and open-knit. It offers a broad display of black and purple fruits, along with spice, peat moss and crushed flowers. Few producers were able to achieve this level of elegance in 2017." Robert Parker

Once upon a time, there was a vineyard that was particularly pampered by the sun of Montalcino; it still bears the name Vigna Loreto. Only in the best vintages does a Brunello come from this exposed site that is bursting with richness, complexity and assertiveness. It has a textural depth and at the same time a balance that is intoxicating. Fruit, spice and very distinctive nuances such as spicy herbs, liquorice, tobacco and firm tannins make this impressive wine monument linger long on the palate and in the memory. With each sip, it opens up further layers and you might almost sink into it, so much do the boundaries of what is comparable shift. The 2016 Vigna Loreto is hard to beat in personality and expressiveness, it is something really great and you don't experience that every day! SUPERIORE.DE

"Engaging bouquet of red berries and violets, leather and tobacco; juicy on the palate, the acidity and tannins in balance, the finish polished and fruity. For all its elegance, also a lot of independent character." Vinum

"Sparkling, rich garnet red. Attractive and accessible nose with rich notes of ripe cherries, wild raspberry and some leather, exciting. Also shows great tension on the palate, grippy tannin in many layers, hearty and deep, shows very good density, present fruit, firm pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Fragrant purple-flower, pipe-tobacco, camphor and new leather aromas take shape on this full-bodied red. Firmly structured, the youthfully austere palate offers dried cherry, licorice and roasted coffee bean alongside assertive, close-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"A complex, powerful nose with dried bay leaf and fresh rosemary, liquorice, fennel and robust red plum and dried tomato fruit. Ripe tannins and a long, leathery finish." Decanter

"This suave and velvety red boasts cherry, leather, earth, tobacco and woodsy aromas and flavors. Verging on creamy, the texture showcases the ripe, macerated cherry fruit, ending with a dusting of tannins. Offers fine overall balance and length." Wine Spectator

"This has a pleasantly dusty nose of dried raspberries, cloves and sandalwood. Refined tannins. Crushed red berries and some tobacco leaf on the palate lend elegance to this full-bodied red." James Suckling

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto wafts up with a gorgeous display of crushed stone, graphite and exotic savory spices before giving way to citrus-tinged cherries, cinnamon and clove. It's silky-smooth and medium in body with a weighty density to its polished yet compact dark red and black fruits, all perfectly framed by juicy acids. Minerals, spiced orange and purple inner florals amass toward the close, as fine tannins slowly saturate, creating a dry yet wonderfully balanced expression through the finale." Vinous

"The Vigna Loreto, located on the slope in front of the Mastrojanni winery, is the estate's showpiece vineyard, not only because it is positioned in full view of incoming visitors but also because of its ideal southeast-facing exposures. It is 1.58 hectares in size and has pebbles and tufo. The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto (with 8,000 bottles produced) is awash in sunlight and Tuscan luminosity, resulting in a ripe and fruit-forward Brunello that never shies away in terms of richness or intensity. Indeed, the wine delivers a special level of power that transcends the bouquet and the palate, resulting in dark fruit, spice, leather, cured tobacco and rosemary essence. The tannins are firm but integrated and otherwise tucked into the ample flesh of the wine." Robert Parker

Vigna Schiena d'Asino from the house Mastrojanni is a modern Brunello in Riserva quality. Wonderfully pure fruit, which plays out all the advantages of Sangiovese. Intense aromas of light cherries, balsamic notes of anise and spices. Nuanced and balanced on the palate, it has a long and crystalline aftertaste - a great and rare wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is packed with sweet cherry, currant, spice and licorice notes, well-matched to the fine-grained tannins. Balanced and taut, lingering on an aftertaste that reveals stone and spice details." Wine Spectator

"Decadent aromas of ripe fruit, coffee and spices follow through to a full body, round and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to open but already delicious." James Suckling