Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 Red Wine

Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018

Tuscany, Italy

94 pts. Wine Spectator:

“A graceful red hallmarked by cherry, strawberry, rose, mineral and Mediterranean herbs. Lacy and succulent yet firm, ending on the minerally side. Vibrant and long. Best from 2025 through 2042.”

94 pts. James Suckling:

"I like the dried violet undertones to the red and blue fruit, along with some walnut husk and olive. There’s so much flavor here, packed into a compact core framed by silky, firm tannins. Dense and focused. Try after 2024."

FROM THE WINERY

The Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino is our flagship wine and reflects more than 30 years of working in harmony with nature in Montalcino. The estate has new and old vineyards of Sangiovese at high altitudes in the northwest of Montalcino. The Sangiovese grapes are carefully harvested and selected by hand on the sorting table before and after destemming.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with an initial short period of cold maceration (below 20°C) on the skins for about 15-20 hours. This is followed by up to 20 days of maceration at a higher controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation that is naturally caused then lasts for about 10 days, before the wine is rested to separate the lees.

The wine matures in oak for approximately 24 months, and after bottling the wine is aged in Castello Romitorio’s temperature-controlled cellars until release.

Tasting Notes:

There is something heady and invigorating about this: a lifted nose of oak and fruit with notions of Marasca cherry, violet and pomegranate. Earthy hints appear, too, as do nuances of sage and soy with increasing age.

The body has densely woven, firm but fine tannins, according to the wine a great structure; a skeleton upon which fruit, oak and aroma can express themselves fully.

The wine unfolds slowly in the glass, becoming more sinuous and sensuous with air while the gentle astringency of the tannins is very moreish. Bottle age brings welcome tertiary notes of leather and herb, both grip and aroma are long lasting. This is impressive upon release but even more true to itself with advancing age. - (Anne Krebiehl MW)