Under the careful attention of Paolo and Lucia Bianchini, the wines from Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona have been on a fast track toward the top of Brunello di Montalcino for the last twenty years. Already considered to be one of the most idyllic properties in all of Tuscany, the winemaking at Ciacci is second-to-none thanks to the rigorous standards of this brother and sister team who took over for their father, Giuseppe Bianchini, in 2004. The secret to the family's success has been quite simple, as they boast prime holdings in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone of Brunello which include their prized Pianrosso vineyard home to one of the great Riservas of Italy. In the cellar, the approach at Ciacci Piccolomini is extremely traditional, and the Sangiovese from the iron-rich soils of Pianrosso contributes to a Brunello of incredible depth and power. Top vintages showcase the very best of these Tuscan hillsides and can easily evolve for thirty years or more in the cellar.
It's no secret that 2015 and 2016 were perhaps the finest back-to-back vintages Brunello di Montalcino has seen this century, which makes it little surprise that Ciacci Piccolomini Riservas were a great success in both years. After previously offering the 2015 vintage, we now have an opportunity to share the 2016 Pianrosso Riserva that has finally made its way into the market after meeting the appellation's long DOCG aging requirements before release.
With this in mind we are pleased to offer the following wine
2016 "Vigna Pianrosso Riserva Santa Caterina d'Oro" Ciacci Piccolomini
Cases 6 x 75cl @ £460/6 IB
"99 points ... Glorious aromas of flowers, nutmeg, dark berries, earth and black cherries follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins that are long and extremely polished. They go on for minutes. Reserved and shy still, due to its excellence. Give this four or five years to come around. Try after 2024." - James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com
"98 points ... Both fluid and concentrated at once, this exudes cherry, black currant, violet and mineral aromas and flavors. Saturated with ripe fruit, this has beautifully integrated acidity and tannins, with a racy profile that drives the superlong finish. The tannins flex their muscles at the end yet remain refined." - Bruce Sanderson, WineSpectator.com
"97+ points ... The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro is gorgeous, full stop. It shows an incredible level of Sangiovese purity and sharpness, and you taste the grape as if you were eating berries straight out of the vineyard. On top of that healthy and bright primary material, the wine layers on elegant aromas of spice, ferrous earth, balsam herb and red rose potpourri. The aromas meet with seamless integration and segue to ongoing depth and complexity offered to the palate. This Riserva is rather delicate in terms of mouthfeel; however, it is powerful and long, with high alcohol, polished tannins and a silky texture. A hint of sweet cherry mixed with menthol freshness pulls it together at the end." - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
