Acclaim

“Beautiful nose of dried cherries and raspberries, with hints of sandalwood, sweet spices and crushed stones. It’s intense and persistent on the palate, with a medium to full body and a lot of depth and structure. Yet the tannins are very fine and well integrated into the wine, with a seamless, velvety texture. It grows on the finish, with both generous fruit and ashy minerality. There’s something mysterious about this. Better after 2026.” -James Suckling, Oct. 2024

“Ruby garnet in the glass, with cherry jelly, ripe fruit character and intense notes of graphite and smoke. The attack is soft and velvety, with ripe tannins, crisp acidity and a medium body. It has a solid spine of structure with enough fruit concentration for aging, but good to drink now.” -James Suckling, Oct. 2024

“Bright ruby-garnet, with earthy strawberries, dried flowers and cinnamon. It has pinot-like elegance, depth and complexity. A soulful palate with velvety tannins that are a bit chalky on the finish, crisp, long, integrated acidity and an amazing finish. Medium- to full-bodied with cherry pit flavors. More elegant than powerful. Drink or hold.” -James Suckling, Oct. 2024

“Good full red. The inviting nose offers aromas of strawberry, vanilla, cloves and raspberry nectar. Then similar flavours, nicely extended on the long back end by harmonious acidity. Strikes me as being endowed with much riper fruit than Lodali’s 2021 Rocche dei Sette Fratelli, finishing long and sweetly spicy. Drinking window: 2031-2040.”

“Bright red. Clean fresh and very pure with hints of red cherry, orange peel and celery. Finishes quite powerful and structured, with a slightly bitter twinge, but I think the wine has currently entered a shut-down phase, so my suggestion is to cellar it for another five to six years, at least, prior to pulling a cork. But there’s lots to like here, beginning with the pure fruit. Drinking window: 2030-2038.”

“Dark and brooding in the glass, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva remains primary, enshrouded in cedar shavings and exotic spice, allowing hints of dried black cherry, lavender and blood orange to emerge with time. This displays remarkable balance, silken in feel, nearly creamy, with fresh acidity to balance its notes of ripe plum and mineral-laced wild berries. It finishes spicy and structured, begging for more time in the cellar. A balsamic tinge lingers, leaving a bitter sensation that puckers the cheeks with tension. Bury your bottles deep.” -Eric Guido, Vinous, Oct. 2024

“The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva displays all of the characteristics of the vintage that make this year truly special. Darkly floral and captivating, it exudes class with a radiant blend of dried black cherries, sage, lavender, hints of pine and a cooling whiff of white smoke. This balances depths of ripe red berry fruit with sweet spices and violet inner florals, all accelerated by brilliant acidity. Tactile mineral tones add a crunchy sensation, while a balsamic tinge and cranberry hints offer a pleasantly tart resonance, finishing long, structured and completely classic.” -Eric Guido, Vinous, Oct. 2024

“The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino pulls you close to the glass with a captivating bouquet of rich plum and strawberry preserves, complemented by autumnal spices and a whiff of shaved cedar. Its 15 years of maturity has softened the blow of the aggressive tannins that once dominated this wine, now revealing an array of ripe wild berries, sour citrus and exotic florals that both soothe and stimulate the palate. It’s still lightly structured and working its way up to the peak of maturity, at this time creating a perfect frame for the beautiful fruit found within. This remains persistent yet fresh, resonating on nuances of licorice and hints of red currant. Readers will enjoy the 2006 for many years to come. ” -Eric Guido, Vinous, Oct. 2024

“The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino remains a total pleasure throughout, wafting up with an enticing blend of ripe wild berries encased in an air of crushed stone as citrus and dried herbs add further complexity. This is juicy upon entry, with mineral-inflected red berry fruit depths perfectly offset by stimulating acidity. A salty tinge adds gravitas toward the close. It finishes with outstanding length and youthful tension, leaving crunchy tannins and a tart citrus tinge that keeps me looking back to the glass for another sip. I absolutely love this sultry Costanti Brunello.” -Eric Guido, VInous, Oct.. 2024