Siro Pacenti

A multi-layered Tuscan olive with powerful finesse and aromas of freshly cut grass, notes of honey and sultanas. The taste is piquant, yet mild and round. SUPERIORE.DE

Dark ruby red. Elegant bouquet of dried cherries, followed by notes of chocolate and flowers. Full on the palate, with dense fruit, good structure and firm tannin. A "little 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

"Wild raspberries, hints of clove and sweet minty herbs lift up to form an inviting bouquet as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino opens up in the glass. While silky in feel, there’s tremendous concentration here, motivated by brisk acids, drenching the palate in tart wild berries and minerals. Grippy tannins linger long, making for a lightly structured and penetrating finale. This full-throttle yet balanced Rosso is showing beautifully, but it needs some time to soften." Vinous

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

Pelagrilli 2017 is an open, accessible Brunello. On the nose, inviting berry aromas, facets of spices, maquis and flowers. In the drink, aromas of dark cherry, plum, smoke and spices. With its juice, fullness and fine-grained tannins, it shows its considerable personality until the supple final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Siro Pacenti 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is a robust and powerful expression with dark fruit nuances that transition to a dense core and a tightly woven inner fabric with more enriched black fruit and spice. Pelagrilli has a beautifully soft and open-knit character, and the tannins are well managed to show no rough edges or bitterness. What stands out best in this wine is the sheer density. Built like a tank, it will embrace long cellar aging." Robert Parker

"Beautiful aromas of cherries, plums and fresh flowers with some oranges follow through to a full body with round and chewy tannins that are polished and refined for the hot 2017 vintage. Flavorful and fresh finish. Remains in check and toned. Drink in 2023 and onwards." James Suckling

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

"Precise nose with aromas of raspberries, pepper, leather; the attack pithy, with plenty of polish, character and opulence, the tannins tightly woven and age-worthy, the acidity invigorating, supple and long. Perfectly made Brunello to be enjoyed with food." Vinum

"Deep, dark blue bouquet with ripe red and dark plums, wild berries, fragolino and ripe raspberry resonate behind the cedar and dark herbal spice. Pressive, velvety palate, still encapsulated within itself, with velvety but hugely present tannins standing guard, so to speak, for further potential." Weinwisser

"Rich, dark ruby, very concentrated. Precise, rich fruit, lots of blackberry, some mulberry, behind it fine tobacco notes, spicy. On the palate lots of sturdy and gripping tannin, spreads out richly, dark fruit components, sturdy and firm on the final, also still closed, still needs long ageing." Falstaff

"Pelagrilli takes its name from the locale in the northern sector of Montalcino where Siro Pacenti purchased property in 1970. It is made from 25- to 35-year-old vines and includes a small percentage of fruit from the estate's Piancornello vineyard in the south. Dark brambly aromas make way for fragrant bay laurel and eucalyptus. There's lovely purity of juicy black currants at this wine's nucleus, and grainy, grippy tannins give textural drama." Decanter

"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

"A pure and focused version, with cherry, strawberry and currant fruit shaded by mineral and tobacco accents. Vibrant and harmonious, this is all about the fruit, with a well-integrated structure and terrific length on the finish." Wine Spectator

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

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

Pacenti's flagship Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne 2017 is a blend of equal parts fruit from the north and south of Montalcino with great texture and resonance. The aromas are dark and textured through and through. Dark red fruits and stone fruits, new leather and cedar gradually open up in the glass, but it needs time to fully develop, partly because the Vecchie Vigne has slightly more new oak than the Pelagrilli. A powerful, spicy representative of the appellation that will only reach its true top form with a few years of bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Rich, powerful ruby garnet. Compact nose with lots of wild berries, raspberry and blackberry, plus rich notes of tobacco, cloves in the background. Lots of polished, finely meshed tannin, present fruit, shows nice pressure on the back end, long finish." Falstaff

"Maturing mid ruby with narrow orange rim. A tad closed on the nose with only the suggestion of gingerbread and with minerally, stony hints. Pure concentrated, cherry fruit with an exotic spice edge. Long and supple and with lots of acidity adding energy to the concentrated fruit. Great length, too and can already be approached. A hedonistic wine." Jancis Robinson

"Ripe fruit with lavender and sandalwood as well as some new wood on the nose. Medium to full body, with firm and structured tannins that are polished and curated. Needs time to soften and come together. Bigger style for Pacenti due to the hot vintage. Try after 2023." James Suckling

"The Siro Pacenti 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne shows an extra degree of concentration and thickness thanks both to the vintage (this hot and dry growing season produced darker, more intense berries) and the older vines that also work toward greater fruit weight. The Vecchie Vigne shows lots of depth and textural weaving with dark berries and oak spice. It offers long-lasting notes of smoke, sweet cedar and woodshop." Robert Parker

Pacenti's Vecchie Vigne is every year a prime example of the high class of the appellation around the small village of Montalcino. But what can one say about this wine when it is young? It has the potential to be one of the best Brunellos of this outstanding vintage, but it is too early to sum up its true class. Only this much: Pacenti's Vecchie Vigne has everything that reveals the power, size and finesse of this vintage. Aromas of cherry, forest floor, leather, spices, tobacco and plenty of other primary notes of deep black fruit. Explosive, full-bodied and still very closed on the palate, the tannins firm and even stubborn at first - but you can feel the existing depth and balance with every sip, which will make it one of the most convincing and at the same time charming drops of the appellation with further bottle ageing. Impressive, too, is the power and structure that builds up in waves and that it will reveal with each further year of patience and maturity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Siro Pacenti's wines always offer a full concert. This one seems a bit more restrained at first, but opens up clearly with air. Complex aroma with ripe red and blue plums, blueberries, hibiscus, blue-purple flowers (lavender, iris), dark chocolate, behind it many balsamic nuances. Enormously powerful and exciting, very intense and full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and vibrant freshness." Weinwisser

"Giancarlo Pacenti's selection from old vines is also convincing in 2016: multi-layered bouquet of wild berries, black pepper and violets; polished in the mouth, with plenty of richness and crisp acidity, the tannins finely meshed and youthful, ending on notes of red berries, flowers and tobacco. Convincing, but should still mature." Vinum

"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

"Broad and dense, this red reveals power behind the plum, cherry, earth, leather and underbrush flavors. Will need time to shed its beefy tannins, but the fruit keeps pace on the long finish." Wine Spectator

"Menthol, new leather, French oak and spiced blueberry aromas come to the forefront. Full bodied and concentrated, the firmly structured palate delivers dried cherry, grilled Porcini, vanilla and licorice set against assertive, close-grained tannins before closing on a coconut note. Give it time to flesh out in the bottle." Wine Enthusiast

"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 PS, produced only in the best vintages and thus for the first time since 2007 again in the top vintages 2010 and 2012, has a lot to offer. Rich, structured and lively bouquet of fruit and menthol. Complex, exceptionally balanced and elegant on the palate with silky tannins and a refined finish. A most impressive wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby with garnet rim. Compact, dark berry fruit in the nose, blackberry and raspberry, fine leather note in the background. Very present on the palate, shows lots of ripe fruit, lots of cherry, some raspberry, opens up with dense, fine-meshed tannin in many chutes, firm and very long lasting on the final." 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 Brunello Riserva PS, produced only in the best vintages and thus for the first time since 2007 again in the top vintages 2010 and 2012, has a lot to offer. Rich, structured and lively bouquet of fruit and menthol. Complex, exceptionally balanced and elegant on the palate with silky tannins and a refined finish. A most impressive wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, bright ruby with garnet rim. Compact, dark berry fruit in the nose, blackberry and raspberry, fine leather note in the background. Very present on the palate, shows lots of ripe fruit, lots of cherry, some raspberry, opens up with dense, fine-meshed tannin in many chutes, firm and very long lasting on the final." 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. Full-bodied and fine at the same time on the palate, with freshness, great structure and a precise focus on dark fruits, pressed rose petals, graphite, smoked spices and hints of savoury smoked meat. Eternally long and fine-mineral finish with a slightly salty note. The essence of Sangiovese with the best possible harmony of elegance and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, rich ruby. Opens with notes of smoke, then lots of dark fruit, wild raspberries and blackberries, some liquorice in the background. Full and substantial in the attack and course, presents itself with powerful tannins, powerful depth, firm pressure in the final, can still be stored for a long time." Falstaff

"Paying homage to founder Pacenti Siro, PS is sourced from a 1.5-hectare plot which he planted in the early 1970s. Suitably restrained, it takes its time to open. Initial roasted, grilled notes speak to ageing in 100% new French oak barriques, but there is plenty more as it unfolds: sage, fennel and fragrant florals poke through. The palate is polished, sophisticated and buoyed by racy Sangiovese acidity. The tannins are chalky, almost clayey, as they cling to the palate, and it finishes with a stony, mineral-like sensation. Give this a few years for the tannins and oak to mellow and merge." Decanter

"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

Vinified only in the best vintages and in small batches, Brunello di Montalcino PS Riserva comes from vines planted in the 1970s in Pelagrilli, one of the districts on the north side of Montalcino. The 2016 is deep yet translucent and offers wonderful intensity. The bouquet is fluid and graceful with a very precise and concentrated presentation. Dark cherry, plum, rose petals, spices, liquorice and new French oak are just some of the characteristics that excite us. The finish is silky and very long. Attractive tones of spicy smoked meat appear at the very end. A full and very focused Sangiovese from the top year 2016. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Very clear and precise nose, shows beautiful matured fruit notes, plays between nuances of raspberry, cherry and strawberry, underpinned by spicy components. Shows itself compact and polished on the palate, lots of fine-meshed tannin in many layers, fine fruit, firm pressure in the final." Falstaff

"Mid to deep ruby. Deep, sweet cherry nose with more than a hint of cardamom. Bags of maraschino cherry and supple acidity on the palate building up a very long, aromatic finish with the perfect dose of chewy tannins. A baroque, dramatic wine." Jancis Robinson

"Broad, evoking black currant and blackberry flavors, with elements of iron, tobacco and toasty spice. This has accents of wild herbs, which add detail as dense tannins flex their muscles on the long finish. Lively and focused, with energy and potential." Wine Spectator

"It’s hard to pull yourself away from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS, as a stunning mix of cooling mint and menthol gives way to cloves, cedar shavings, dried cherries and underbrush. This dark beauty further impresses with a texture like crushed velvet, weighty and fleshy yet refined. Sour berries combine with hints of blood orange and inner herbal tones to create an interplay of salty and sweet tension. It isn’t the concentration or the heady aromas or flavors that impress here as much as the gorgeous balance that they all create. The 2016 Riserva PS tapers off incredibly long, unexpectedly fresh, with fine-grained tannins and notes of licorice and black currant." Vinous

"This is a wine of impressive magnitude and depth. The Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS is modern, bold, powerful and built like a brick wall. It delivers ample concentration and texture richness, but it also boasts a pretty dark ruby color that is quite beautiful in the glass. This is a healthy, vibrant wine with plenty of aromatic character. There are fruit and oak tannins (both firmly in place to guide the wine over long cellar aging), and it sits squarely over the palate, imparting creaminess and structure. Give it ample time to soften and unfold. With time (I came back to the bottle 24 and 48 hours after opening it), it shows delicate hues of mountain herb, mint and violets. Made in limited numbers, there are only 650 bottles of this vintage plus some larger formats." Robert Parker

"Enchanting hues of blue fruits, raspberries and black cherries with flowers such as rosemary flower and violets. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate of ripe tannins that are fine and polished. So persistent and beautiful with focus and brightness. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2024." 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

Vinified only in the best vintages and in small batches, Brunello di Montalcino PS Riserva comes from vines planted in the 1970s in Pelagrilli, one of the districts on the north side of Montalcino. The 2016 is deep yet translucent and offers wonderful intensity. The bouquet is fluid and graceful with a very precise and concentrated presentation. Dark cherry, plum, rose petals, spices, liquorice and new French oak are just some of the characteristics that excite us. The finish is silky and very long. Attractive tones of spicy smoked meat appear at the very end. A full and very focused Sangiovese from the top year 2016. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby garnet. Very clear and precise nose, shows beautiful matured fruit notes, plays between nuances of raspberry, cherry and strawberry, underpinned by spicy components. Shows itself compact and polished on the palate, lots of fine-meshed tannin in many layers, fine fruit, firm pressure in the final." Falstaff

"Mid to deep ruby. Deep, sweet cherry nose with more than a hint of cardamom. Bags of maraschino cherry and supple acidity on the palate building up a very long, aromatic finish with the perfect dose of chewy tannins. A baroque, dramatic wine." Jancis Robinson

"Broad, evoking black currant and blackberry flavors, with elements of iron, tobacco and toasty spice. This has accents of wild herbs, which add detail as dense tannins flex their muscles on the long finish. Lively and focused, with energy and potential." Wine Spectator

"It’s hard to pull yourself away from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS, as a stunning mix of cooling mint and menthol gives way to cloves, cedar shavings, dried cherries and underbrush. This dark beauty further impresses with a texture like crushed velvet, weighty and fleshy yet refined. Sour berries combine with hints of blood orange and inner herbal tones to create an interplay of salty and sweet tension. It isn’t the concentration or the heady aromas or flavors that impress here as much as the gorgeous balance that they all create. The 2016 Riserva PS tapers off incredibly long, unexpectedly fresh, with fine-grained tannins and notes of licorice and black currant." Vinous

"This is a wine of impressive magnitude and depth. The Siro Pacenti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva PS is modern, bold, powerful and built like a brick wall. It delivers ample concentration and texture richness, but it also boasts a pretty dark ruby color that is quite beautiful in the glass. This is a healthy, vibrant wine with plenty of aromatic character. There are fruit and oak tannins (both firmly in place to guide the wine over long cellar aging), and it sits squarely over the palate, imparting creaminess and structure. Give it ample time to soften and unfold. With time (I came back to the bottle 24 and 48 hours after opening it), it shows delicate hues of mountain herb, mint and violets. Made in limited numbers, there are only 650 bottles of this vintage plus some larger formats." Robert Parker

"Enchanting hues of blue fruits, raspberries and black cherries with flowers such as rosemary flower and violets. Full-bodied with a dense and intense palate of ripe tannins that are fine and polished. So persistent and beautiful with focus and brightness. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2024." 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. Full-bodied and fine at the same time on the palate, with freshness, great structure and a precise focus on dark fruits, pressed rose petals, graphite, smoked spices and hints of savoury smoked meat. Eternally long and fine-mineral finish with a slightly salty note. The essence of Sangiovese with the best possible harmony of elegance and complexity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Shiny, rich ruby. Opens with notes of smoke, then lots of dark fruit, wild raspberries and blackberries, some liquorice in the background. Full and substantial in the attack and course, presents itself with powerful tannins, powerful depth, firm pressure in the final, can still be stored for a long time." Falstaff

"Paying homage to founder Pacenti Siro, PS is sourced from a 1.5-hectare plot which he planted in the early 1970s. Suitably restrained, it takes its time to open. Initial roasted, grilled notes speak to ageing in 100% new French oak barriques, but there is plenty more as it unfolds: sage, fennel and fragrant florals poke through. The palate is polished, sophisticated and buoyed by racy Sangiovese acidity. The tannins are chalky, almost clayey, as they cling to the palate, and it finishes with a stony, mineral-like sensation. Give this a few years for the tannins and oak to mellow and merge." Decanter

"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