Siro Pacenti

Dark ruby red. Elegant bouquet of dried cherries, followed by notes of chocolate and flowers. At the palate full, with dense fruit, good structure and firm tannin. A "small Brunello" from a very good house. SUPERIORE.DE

"Established in the 1970s, the Pacenti estate bottled its first vintage in 1988 and since then has grown, following a professional approach to viticulture with a particular attention to phenolic ripeness. The grapes used for the Rosso di Montalcino come from vines between 15 and 25 years old, aged in second-fill French oak barrels. The 2019 is full of plush fruit: raspberry and cherry, violet, liquorice stick and toast in depth, with ash and black pepper notes. Almost full on the palate, it shows well refined tannins with great youthful texture and an extremely fresh acidity, supported by the richness of fruit. Good structure for a Rosso." Decanter

Aromas of dark cherry, plum, smoke and spices, lush, rich and structured on the palate: every year Pelagrilli shows its remarkable personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, rich ruby red. Very rich and spicy nose, present wood spice with ripe berries. After some air also slightly after burnt rubber, multi-layered. Hearty with a lot of ripe fruit and sweet, polished wood tannin, opens velvety on the palate and ends harmoniously and long." Falstaff

"Siro Pacenti's 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli offers a terrific package of intensity, freshness, firmness and complexity. It delivers generously on all fronts. The bouquet peels back to reveal wild cherry, rose hip, dried herb and toasted almond. The fruit tastes less ripe here (compared to wines from the southern parts of the appellation), and you do feel that acidic pinch on the close. This wine should flesh out and grow in volume with a few more years of bottle aging." Robert Parker

"A seriously floral Brunello that combines rose petals and raspberry essence with more intense dried strawberries, chocolate shavings, herbs and cedar. The palate doesn't hold back but is still extremely well balanced and refined with tight, grainy tannins and a long, succulent finish." James Suckling

"Concentrated and quite deep ruby! A nose packed with cherry. Generous mouthful of fruit and richly tannic too. Rustic, long and direct." Jancis Robinson

"Underbrush, menthol, star anise and plum aromas mingle with a whiff of exotic spice. The aromas carry over to the austere, firmly structured palate along with espresso, toasted oak, sour cherry and licorice. It's still tight and primary, with firm acidity and youthfully bracing close-grained tannins that grip the finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Bright red. Spicy dark berries, flint and brown spices on the aromatic nose. Supple and broad but youthfully reticent; intriguing suggestions of spice and orange peel complement the flinty red cherry and dark berry flavors. Finishes with substantial but polished tannins. This really needs some time to expand in the bottle." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"The rich plum, cherry, leather and graphite aromas and flavors are matched by dense, mouthcoating tannins in this intense red. Balanced and long, with hints of menthol and earth. If you like beefy reds, this is for you." Wine Spectator

With aromas of dark cherry, plum, smoke and spices, lush, rich and structured on the palate, the 2014 vintage, produced only in small quantities, shows its remarkable personality. SUPERIORE.DE

"Notes of cherries, macchia, also pepper and leather notes; stately construction with robust tannins, the finish harmonious, full of juice and strength and great length. Also in 2014 an excellently manufactured and extremely complex Annata by Giancarlo Pacenti." Vinum

"Bright, rich ruby garnet. Clear and catchy nose, smells intensely of ripe plums and dark cherries, some macchia herbs in the background. On the palate it shows a lot of juicy, ripe fruit, blackberries and raspberries, appealing density, unfolds with fine-meshed tannin, firm pressure in the final". Falstaff

"This red shows complexity and depth to the plum, cherry, almond, graphite and tobacco flavors. Offers good grip and fine balance overall. Firms up on the finish, but lingers nicely." Wine Spectator

"The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is a mid-weight effort with a bouquet that spans a wide breadth with dark fruit notes followed by spice, tobacco and camphor ash. Those aromas are layered and pleasantly complex. The house style always prizes precision, fruit ripeness and well-managed tannins. All of those qualities apply here." Robert Parker

"Underbrush, camphor, tobacco and oak aromas mingle with wild berry. On the linear full-bodied palate, fine-grained polished tannins and bright acidity support Marasca cherry, raspberry, baking spice and espresso." Wine Enthusiast

"Vivid ruby-red. Clean fresh notes of redcurrant, balsamic oils, flint and violet on the nose and in the mouth. Vibrant and juicy, with a very lithe mouthfeel, excellent clarity and cut and a long finish." Vinous

"Very pretty black-cherry and fresh-mushroom character on the nose. Medium-bodied with integrated, polished and chewy tannins. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

Pelagrilli presents itself already more open and more pleasing than Pacenti's flagship Vecchie Vigne. The bouquet is rich and engaging after dark cherries, herbs and young leather. On the palate, punchy, precise and superbly structured, the discernible wood well integrated. In the long final we discover, besides a very appealing extract sweetness, salty notes, which are otherwise only to be found in Casanova di Neri's Tenuta Nuova. A wonderful Sangiovese from a great vintage with an almost ideal climate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, dark ruby, very concentrated. Precise, rich fruit, lots of blackberry, some mulberry, behind it fine tobacco notes, spicy. At the palate much stoffiges and gripping tannin, spreads out richly, dark fruit components, in the final stoffig and firmly, also still closed, needs still long storage." Falstaff

"Siro Pacenti is the estate behind some of the most contemporary and fruit-froward wines made in Montalcino. For sure, the Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is decidedly more focused on black fruit aromas rather than red fruit brightness, and it follows through with a healthy delivery of cedar, toasted spice, pencil shaving and campfire ash. Blackberry, fresh prune and plum cede to those oak-driven aromas. Like the other wines from this producer, I found that the oak tannins are not approachable in the near term. You really need to give this wine more time in the bottle. Siro Pacenti farms beautiful and carefully manicured vineyards on the north side of Montalcino." Robert Parker

"Wow. This is really rich and layered with velvety tannins that coat the palate. It’s full-bodied with ripe tannins and a finish of black cherries, cedar, walnuts, dried mushrooms and dried leaves. Needs time to soften." James Suckling

Superbe, deep dark and glossy colour. An extraordinarily complex and seductive scent of berries, spices and leather. A taste of great density and strength, wonderful tannin, perfectly complementary wood notes and eternal length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Underbrush, sun-baked earth, black spice, menthol and mature dark-skinned fruit aromas jump out of the glass. The bold, full-bodied palate doles out raspberry jam, ripe Marasca cherry, ground pepper and licorice alongside firm, fine-grained tannins that provide seamless support. It's brawny and bold but the refined tannins also lend a measure of finesse." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne shows great balance that is due, in part, to the advanced age of the vines (most of which were planted between 1967 and 1972). The wine delivers a very fine, silky quality of tannin and an elegant approach. The bouquet exhibits elements of forest fruit, crushed mineral, balsam herb and wild mushroom. The effect is graceful and nuanced." Robert Parker

"The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne is deep, powerful and explosive. The gravitas of the old vines and the blend of fruit that incorporates fruit from the southern end of the zone in equal parts with the north comes through loud and clear. Macerated cherries, smoke, spices, leather, licorice and French oak flesh out in a dense, stylish Brunello that captures the essence of the Pacenti house style. Drink this creamy, voluptuous Brunello over the next decade or so." Antonio Galloni

"A very muscular red with plum, blueberry, walnut and dried mushroom character on both the nose and palate. Full and chewy. Fabulous fruit and intensity." James Suckling

Pacentis Brunello Vecchie Vigne 2012 radiates with attractive aromas of black berries, dark cherries and coffee. Delicious and very elegant taste with silky tannins and considerable length. Siro Pacenti is one of the most historic houses in the region and Vecchie Vigne enchants the senses with this very solid expression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, rich ruby with a garnet shimmer. Very fragrant and compact nose, full of dark cherries, some blackberry, sparkling clean. The palate shows a beautiful play, a lot of fruit, cherries and pomegranate, opens with fine-meshed, dense tannin, builds up for a long time, salty." Falstaff

"Lustrous mid ruby. Rich but still a little reductive. The palate is in the grip of this, too, for the moment, but underneath there is truly compact, rich, tangy cherry with lots of demanding tannins and a wonderful, subtle oak note." Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of ripe fruit such as sweet strawberries and hints of orange peel and chocolate. Medium to full body, soft and velvety tannins and a flavorful finish. Riper style." James Suckling

"Giancarlo Pacenti knows his land well and is a skillful farmer, especially with regards to navigating a challenging vintage like this. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne boasts a beautifully saturated ruby color that appears healthy and bright. The aromas are presented with precision and balance. A wine like this offers irrefutable evidence that old vines are the best remedy in a hot and dry vintage. The wine's various elements are intact and focused. Dark cherry, candied plum, exotic spice, tar and licorice form a united front." Robert Parker

"This is full of cherry and plum flavors, accented by leather, tobacco and iron notes. Solidly structured and taut, balanced and long, with a dense mix of fruit, mineral, spice and tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Giancarlo Pacenti’s selection of old vines uses age and experience to add a velvety wrap around firm, crunchy, beautifully focussed tannins. This is a crowd-pleaser with brains." Decanter

Pacentis Brunello Vecchie Vigne radiates with attractive aromas of black berries, dark cherries and coffee. Delicious and very elegant taste with silky tannins and considerable length. Siro Pacenti is one of the most historic houses in the region and Vecchie Vigne enchants the senses with this very solid expression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Showing more oak definition, texture and overall fruity richness, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne benefits from the concentration and complexity you get with old vines. The wine wraps thickly over the palate, imparting luscious aromas of dried cherry, exotic spice, pressed rose and scorched earth along the way. This is a wine for the cellar. The bouquet has a lot to give, but this will require some extra time. All the elements are there for an excellent aging future." Robert Parker

"The nose is decadent but not overdone with plum liqueur, Christmas cake, cedar, Chinese spices, licorice, tea leaves, tar and hot stones. Full and very dense with mouth-coating tannins but also attractive fresh fruit, pretty acidity and a long finish. Rather chewy and needs time, but a beautiful follow-up to the 2012." James Suckling

"Forest floor, toasted oak, dark spice, new leather and tobacco aromas fill the glass along with a whiff of eucalyptus. The firmly structured concentrated palate shows power and finesse, offering dried black cherry, star anise, coffee bean and grilled sage alongside fresh acidity and close-grained tannins. It's still youthfully austere and will benefit with several more years spent in the cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"Bright and bursting with cherry, currant and berry flavors, this also has a tannic edge, along with tobacco and leafy underbrush notes. The two camps need to reach some sort of détente before this really sings." Wine Spectator

"From two different sites, one in the north of the region and one in the south, this sensually enticing wine has a fleshiness and a textural wealth which makes a welcome change after the near-angular refinement of some of its peers. The sweet fruits have a soft, almost milky or creamy aromatic sheen, like glove leather. On the palate, those fruits are more structured and firm: plum and pomegranate, with palpable cut and shapeliness, fresh and springy tannins and ample, poised dryness." Decanter

Every year Pacentis Vecchie Vigne is a prime example of the excellence of the appellation around the small village of Montalcino. The 2015 edition presents itself in an unprecedented harmony and with an expression that inspires enthusiasm even at a young age. In the fragrance freshly cut flowers, mint, graphite, sweet dark fruits and spices. On the palate full of energy and with a precise interpretation of the grape. In the long final unmistakable: the balance and balance and the concise style of the house! SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense flowery aromas of ripe wild berries, wild flowers and spices, notes of maquis and tobacco; on the palate, the tight tannin and acidity in perfect balance, the finish extremely elegant and incredibly long. Excellently made and with great potential." Vinum

"lush sparkly ruby with garnet rim. Very intense and memorable nose, smells of plums, dark cherries, some liquorice and cinnamon, full. Round and smooth at the base, opens with a lot of present, velvety tannin in the core, very long, in the final a nice bite." Falstaff

"A light touch of oak is well-integrated with the cherry, plum and wild herb flavors in this powerful yet balanced red. A distinctive saline quality plays out on the long finish. A little less fruity than many of its peers, but no less complex." Wine Spectator

"The Siro Pacenti 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne remains one of the most contemporary wines to emerge from this sun-kissed appellation in southern Tuscany. You taste the richness and suppleness of its dark fruit and abundant blackberry. However, the wine also offers hints of exotic spice, savory tobacco and even a touch of talc powder or buttered popcorn that comes from the oak (it sees 24 months in French barrique). Indeed, this wine's lactic signature remains strong. This adds to the distinctively creamy, viscous and rich nature of the full-bodied mouthfeel. Fruit comes from old vines ranging from 35 to 50 years old. Stylistically, some of the intricacies of Sangiovese are sacrificed in the name of texture and density." Robert Parker

"Medium dark, luminous red-ruby color. Almond paste, milk chocolate, cinnamon and nutmeg complement ripe red cherry aromas and flavors. Closes long, creamy, nicely textured and multifaceted. Made from 35 years old plus vines aged two years in 75% new oak barriques, this will prove an outstanding wine if properly cellared for another eight to ten years before popping the cork." Vinous

"This is very intense on the nose with blue fruit, cool stones, brambleberries and blackberries. Wet earth, too. Full-bodied and extremely dense and powerful with a super center palate of fruit and ripe yet compact tannins. Lightly chewy and expressive. Superb transparency and integration. Goes on for minutes. One of the best Brunellos I have tasted in my career. Try after 2021, but already amazing." James Suckling

Pacentis Vecchie Vigne is every year a prime example of the high class of the appellation around the small village of Montalcino.

Text to follow shortly. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sparkling, dark ruby red. Lots of dark berry fruit, mulberries, fresh dark plums, some cardamom. On the palate a lot of compact, grippy tannin, opens up in many layers, gripping and sturdy, grippy tannin forms the backbone of the wine, then drying wood in the final." Falstaff

"This wine opens to a nicely saturated appearance with dark berry, spice and tobacco. The wine is structured and firm, owning its tannins to both the fruit and the barrique. I do find the tannins to be astringent at this young stage, so I would hold off from opening this release for a long while. Like many of the other producers in Montalcino, Giancarlo Pacenti has captured the linearity and focus of the vintage, but his house style ultimately leaves a bigger mark on the fruit." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne from Siro Pacenti is dark and youthfully folded in upon itself. This pulls you closer to the glass, as it slowly reveals a nuanced display of olive-tinged blackberry and plum, with hints of mocha, balsamic spice and tanned leather. It’s deeply textural, with velvety waves of ripe black fruits laced with tactile minerals, propelled by vibrant acids which carry its medium-bodied weight with ease. Youthfully dense, poised and geared for the long term, the 2016 Vecchie Vigne will require a good amount of cellaring to show all of its charms. Hints of licorice and violet florals echo throughout the long and structured finale." Vinous

"Such wonderful opulence and beauty. The nose shows dried flowers and minerals with blackberries and black cherries. Purity is the word. Full-bodied with incredible depth and structure and polished, silky tannins that envelop your palate. The length is really impressive." James Suckling

The Brunello Riserva horsepower, produced only in the best vintages and so since 2007 for the first time again in the top vintages 2010 and 2012, has much to offer. Rich, structured and lively bouquet of fruits and menthol. Complex, exceptionally balanced and elegant on the palate with silky tannins and a refined finish. A very impressive wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, luminous ruby with a garnet edge. Compact, dark berry fruit in the nose, hints of blackberry and raspberry, fine leather note in the background. On the palate very present, shows a lot of ripe fruit, a lot of cherry, some raspberry, opens with dense, fine-meshed tannin in many fancy, in the finale firm and very long persistent." Falstaff

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS is absolutely impressive, but with only 4,500 bottles made, it may not prove easy to locate. This precious expression of Sangiovese exhibits a gorgeous level of intensity and power, coupled by elegance and poise. The long presentation of aromas starts with black fruit and cherry confit and continues to crushed stone, toasted spice, cola and medicinal herb. The wine's texture sticks firmly to the palate. This Brunello ages in French oak for two years." Robert Parker

"Deep red. Smoky, torrefacted notes complicate bright red cherry and mineral aromas on the enticing nose. Then rich, ripe and round in the mouth, offering a generous, broad mouthfeel and a captivating multilayered quality to the flavors of red fruit, blood orange and underbrush. The finish is long and supple." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"A modern style, exuding coffee, vanilla, cherry and tobacco flavors. Vibrant, offering grip and picking up mineral accents as this winds down on the finish. An elegant, minerally red under the oak." Wine Spectator

The fruit for this exceptional Brunello, produced only in the very best years, comes from a five-hectare vineyard in the northern part of the appellation, and there are then just 1,500 bottles of it. Very fluid and graceful bouquet, incredibly deep and complex, with sweet extract, great richness and finest wood, almost impenetrable. The palate is both full-bodied and refined, with freshness, great structure and a precise focus on dark fruits, pressed rose petals, graphite, smoked spices and hints of savory smoked meat. Eternally long and fine-mineral finish with a slight saline note. The essence of Sangiovese with the best possible harmony of elegance and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, rich ruby. Opens with notes of smoke, then lots of dark fruit, wild raspberry and blackberry, some licorice in the background. Full and rich in the attack and course, presents itself with powerful tannin, powerful depth, firm pressure in the final, can still store for a long time." Falstaff

"There's beauty here, no doubt, but the stylistic preference for 100% new oak on Sangiovese is forever controversial and debatable. The wine's appearance is almost impenetrable, and the bouquet is well-integrated with black fruit, spice and balsam notes." Robert Parker

"The purity of fruit here is so stunning with blackberry, black-cherry, black-truffle and floral aromas, as well as orange peel. It’s full-bodied and very compact with ultra fine tannins that are copious and balanced. It goes on for such a long time. The purity and precision is something else, not to mention the length and depth. So delicious now and a joy to taste." James Suckling

The Brunello Riserva horsepower, produced only in the best vintages and so since 2007 for the first time again in the top vintages 2010 and 2012, has much to offer. Rich, structured and lively bouquet of fruits and menthol. Complex, exceptionally balanced and elegant on the palate with silky tannins and a refined finish. A very impressive wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, luminous ruby with a garnet edge. Compact, dark berry fruit in the nose, hints of blackberry and raspberry, fine leather note in the background. On the palate very present, shows a lot of ripe fruit, a lot of cherry, some raspberry, opens with dense, fine-meshed tannin in many fancy, in the finale firm and very long persistent." Falstaff

"The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS is absolutely impressive, but with only 4,500 bottles made, it may not prove easy to locate. This precious expression of Sangiovese exhibits a gorgeous level of intensity and power, coupled by elegance and poise. The long presentation of aromas starts with black fruit and cherry confit and continues to crushed stone, toasted spice, cola and medicinal herb. The wine's texture sticks firmly to the palate. This Brunello ages in French oak for two years." Robert Parker

"Deep red. Smoky, torrefacted notes complicate bright red cherry and mineral aromas on the enticing nose. Then rich, ripe and round in the mouth, offering a generous, broad mouthfeel and a captivating multilayered quality to the flavors of red fruit, blood orange and underbrush. The finish is long and supple." Ian d’Agata (vinous.com)

"A modern style, exuding coffee, vanilla, cherry and tobacco flavors. Vibrant, offering grip and picking up mineral accents as this winds down on the finish. An elegant, minerally red under the oak." Wine Spectator

The fruit for this exceptional Brunello, produced only in the very best years, comes from a five-hectare vineyard in the northern part of the appellation, and there are then just 1,500 bottles of it. Very fluid and graceful bouquet, incredibly deep and complex, with sweet extract, great richness and finest wood, almost impenetrable. The palate is both full-bodied and refined, with freshness, great structure and a precise focus on dark fruits, pressed rose petals, graphite, smoked spices and hints of savory smoked meat. Eternally long and fine-mineral finish with a slight saline note. The essence of Sangiovese with the best possible harmony of elegance and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, rich ruby. Opens with notes of smoke, then lots of dark fruit, wild raspberry and blackberry, some licorice in the background. Rich and full-bodied in the attack and course, presents itself with powerful tannin, powerful depth, firm pressure in the final, can still store for a long time." Falstaff

"There's beauty here, no doubt, but the stylistic preference for 100% new oak on Sangiovese is forever controversial and debatable. The wine's appearance is almost impenetrable, and the bouquet is well-integrated with black fruit, spice and balsam notes." Robert Parker

"The purity of fruit here is so stunning with blackberry, black-cherry, black-truffle and floral aromas, as well as orange peel. It’s full-bodied and very compact with ultra fine tannins that are copious and balanced. It goes on for such a long time. The purity and precision is something else, not to mention the length and depth. So delicious now and a joy to taste." James Suckling

The fruit for this exceptional Brunello, produced only in the very best years, comes from a five-hectare vineyard in the northern part of the appellation, and there are then just 1,500 bottles of it. Very fluid and graceful bouquet, incredibly deep and complex, with sweet extract, great richness and finest wood, almost impenetrable. The palate is both full-bodied and refined, with freshness, great structure and a precise focus on dark fruits, pressed rose petals, graphite, smoked spices and hints of savory smoked meat. Eternally long and fine-mineral finish with a slight saline note. The essence of Sangiovese with the best possible harmony of elegance and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, rich ruby. Opens with notes of smoke, then lots of dark fruit, wild raspberry and blackberry, some licorice in the background. Full and rich in the attack and course, presents itself with powerful tannin, powerful depth, firm pressure in the final, can still store for a long time." Falstaff

"There's beauty here, no doubt, but the stylistic preference for 100% new oak on Sangiovese is forever controversial and debatable. The wine's appearance is almost impenetrable, and the bouquet is well-integrated with black fruit, spice and balsam notes." Robert Parker

"The purity of fruit here is so stunning with blackberry, black-cherry, black-truffle and floral aromas, as well as orange peel. It’s full-bodied and very compact with ultra fine tannins that are copious and balanced. It goes on for such a long time. The purity and precision is something else, not to mention the length and depth. So delicious now and a joy to taste." James Suckling