2015 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese

2015 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino

98 JS

Featured Review

Extremely perfumed and decadent with dried flowers and spices and fresh mushrooms. Cherries,too. Full body. Solid core of fruit, yet ever so fine tannins. Goes on for minutes. Such beautifully crafted tannins. Drink after 2021. James Suckling

James Suckling | 98 JS

Enticing aromas of ripe wild berry, iris, camphor and sunbaked soil take shape in the glass. Full bodied and enveloping, the smooth, delicious palate doles out juicy Marasca cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and tobacco while firm velvety tannins provide support. It boasts concentration and structure but also balance, thanks to the fruit richness and freshness. Drink 2023–2030.

Wine Enthusiast | 97 WE

The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona estate enjoys a beautiful and huge expanse of vineyards at the back of the Castelnuovo dell’Abate village, where the downward slope of the hamlet meets the Orcia River, which delineates the appellation border. The estate’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers lovely harmony and elegance. The wine’s taste profile follows the soft contours and beautiful horizons that characterize this beautiful part of Tuscany. The mouthfeel is medium-weight but carefully balanced with just enough acidity to add brightness. It shows just enough backbone to guarantee staying power and longevity. That said, the tannins are carefully integrated into the delicate fiber of the wine. This is no doubt one of the most graceful Brunellos to emerge from the 2015 vintage. Some 74,500 bottles were released in January 2020.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RP

Distinctly salty, this red features cherry, strawberry, juniper, thyme and tobacco flavors. Tightly wound and energetic, with fine balance and a lingering, resonant aftertaste. Complex and built to age. Best from 2023 through 2042. 6,208 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 94 WS

Dark red. Notes of iodine, five spice mix and cloves complement ripe red cherry on the nose and in the mouth. Long smooth finish.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

Meaty and leathery with plenty of balsamic notes. Full and rich with stewed fruit, liquorice aromas and a hint of woodsmoke. Firm finish with spicy black fruit aromatics. Drinking Window 2021 - 2027.

Decanter | 90 DEC

Type of Wine	Brunello : As you indulge in some fine Brunello, and you gaze into the deep brown elixir, your tongue will almost pulsate with excitement, as rich flavors of black cherry, chocolate, black raspberry, and blackberry are woven together like a heartfelt poem. An earthy, leathery undertone provides excellent contrast next to all the fruit, rounding out the experience .
Varietal	Sangiovese : When it comes to Tuscan wine, Sangiovese is king. This mighty grape variety resides not only in Tuscany, but throughout Italy. The varietal is responsible for some of the greatest wines in the country, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the infamous “Super Tuscans.” Sangiovese is extremely capable of adapting to the various climates and terroirs of Italy but is quite at home in Tuscany, where it is believed to have been birthed. Like most ancient grape varieties, there are many speculations about Sangiovese’s true time and place of origin. Some theories claim the Sangiovese grape dates back to the Etruscan era and cultivated mostly in Tuscany. Another theory is that it was cultivated by the ancient Romans. Sangiovese is believed to have been first documented in 1590 by agronomist, Gian Vettorio Soderini who talked about ‘Sanghiogeto” in an essay. There is no definitive evidence that ‘Sanghiogeto’ is the Sangiovese grape that is beloved and famous today; however, it is still considered by many to be the first appearance of the grape in written fashion. It wouldn’t be until the 18th century that Sangiovese would become well-known and started being planted all over the region. It was mentioned in l’Oenologia Toscana, written by Cosimo Villafranchi in 1773, in which he discussed the winemaking process of Chianti and the use of Sangiovese. Today, Sangiovese accounts for 10% of all winemaking grapes planted in Italy. This statistic may not seem significant but taken into consideration there are 350 authorized grape varieties across 20 wine regions, it is quite remarkable. Due to its versatility, Sangiovese is one of the most diverse grape varieties used in winemaking. However, the grape can be temperamental and sensitive to the environment in which it is planted. It is very much similar to the Pinot Noir in this fashion. Wines made with Sangiovese grapes can turn out tasting extremely different, based on climate, terroir and process. While the varietal can successfully grow most places, it tends to grow best in hot, dry climates with terroir composed mostly of shallow, limestone soils. Famously native to Tuscany but Sangiovese also grows in many other winemaking locations in Italy, such as Umbria in Central Italy, Campania in the South and Romagna where the grape is known as Sangiovese di Romagna. There are approximately 71,000 hectares of Sangiovese covering the earth’s surface, 62,725 of which reside in Italy (mostly Tuscany). Outside Italy, Sangiovese has grown quite popular in many winegrowing regions around the world, including the French Island of Corsica, where it ranks 2nd among all Sangiovese growing localities. It was introduced to Argentina in the late 19th century by Italian immigrants and remains successful in the region of Mendoza. Although Sangiovese was brought to America in the 1880’s, it was unpopular until the 1980’s when “Super Tuscans” caused a re-emergence of the grape in Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast. Sangiovese has also gained popularity in Barossa Valley in Southern Australia. The thin skinned, medium sized, blue-black berries of Sangiovese produce medium to full bodied, dry and highly acidic wines with fruity and savory flavors of plum, cherry, licorice, leather, tobacco and dust. Sangiovese may be synonymous with Brunello, and vice-versa, but the world of Sangiovese is far more intricate than a single wine, a single village, hillside town or designated area of control. It is the exclusive varietal and shining star in Brunello di Montalcino and provides the backbone for Chianti and many of the great Italian wines, and has gained an outstanding reputation as one of the world’s great grape varietals.
Country	Italy : Italy is renowned as one of the world’s greatest gastronomic havens; from certified Prosciutto di Parma to the sea-side seafood eateries on the island of Sicily. However, this epicurean experience could not possibly be as hedonistic without the ethereal combination of the country’s plethora of fine wines. It seems unfair that a nation should be able to boast, both, some of the world’s greatest cuisine as well as its greatest wines. Italian wine is one of the most sought after in the world, and has become the second most produced in the world, behind only France. Stretching an impressive 736 miles from northern Italy to the peninsula’s southern tip, the country’s geography generates an enormous array of topography, climate and soil structure. This is an extremely important quality of its winegrowing and making industry which lays claim to nearly 550 different grape varietals, which all desire their own necessities, in terms of terroir and climate. The still red wines of Italy truly characterize the nation’s vast and expansive terroir; Nebbiolo dominates Piedmont, where Barolo and Barbaresco reign king and queen of the region’s production. Hailing from Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany, the rockstar Sangiovese grape has become synonymous with greatness. Vin Santo sweet wines have taken on a mighty feat of competing with the glorious wines of Sauternes, and of course, Prosecco. Prosecco, located in Trieste (northeast Italy) and its creation of luxuriously effervescent styles of wine has become Italy’s answer to Champagne. The Glera grape variety, which has become synonymous with the name Prosecco, is the main ingredient and is beloved in the appellation where the village of Prosecco’s name has become world renowned. The blurred boundary between Italy and the countries of Slovenia and Austria, where German influence still resonates through Friuli wines. The prevalence of Riesling and other such grape varietals is high in this region and have become extremely popular on today’s market. With nearly 702,000 hectares of grapevines covering the massive and diverse landscape, Italy’s annual average of 48.3 million hectoliters of wine production is second only to France in terms of volume and Spain in terms of hectares of vines. The country is vast and overwhelming when it comes to the culinary arts, but perhaps even this is overshadowed by its production of some of the world’s most sought after wines, whether the omnipresent Chianti to the highly collectible and sought after Amarone della Valpolicalla.
Region	Tuscany : Italian culture worships the concept of a shared meal, and their wines scream for a chance to be uncorked with your friends and family. The region's Mediterranean climate and hilly landscape combine to create a beautiful viticultural environment, where every chosen grape is brought to its full potential and transmuted into drinks worthy of gods. The vineyards are planted along the higher reaches of the hill slopes, creating a gorgeous view of the Italian landscape. Once your lips kiss the wine, you're sent spiraling down a veritable whirlpool of pure flavor, touching upon notes of sensuous cherry, nuts, floral hints and undertones of honey and minerals. The wines can be as sweet as a fresh summer romance, and carry an air of dignity and elegance about them that can stimulate your intellect for months as you contemplate the seemingly infinite intricacies and details in the texture. Tuscany is an important part of Italian viticulture, and sampling their wines is the closest you can get to visiting this heavenly region and experiencing the culture.

Producer	Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona : Located on the southeast slope of the municipality of Montalcino, close to the medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate and the famous Romanesque abbey of Sant’Antimo which dates back to the 11th century, rests the estate of Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona. Sitting on 220 hectares of rolling hills with an unforgettable atmosphere, the vineyard - a sea of Sangiovese grape vines, is where the Tuscan terroir lends to the creation of the world-renowned wines of Ciacci Piccolomini. “Our land, our heritage,” asserts the owners. The origin of the estate dates back to the 17th century when it was owned by the local Bishop. After his death the palace and the surrounding estates were auctioned, according to Italian law and purchased by the countess Eva Berini Cerretari. In 1877, the estate was again purchased and would come under the ownership of the Ciacci Family, who resided in Castelnuovo dell’Abate. After the marriage of Elda Ciacci and Alberto Piccolomini d’Aragona, direct descendent of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II), the Bishop’s palace became the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Palace and the creation of the estate we know today. Ciacci Piccolomini is surrounded by a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, pastures and woods with unforgettable colors. It is the quintessential Tuscan countryside estate set between Arna Hill and the Orcia River to the southeast. With the beauty of Mount Amiata in the background and typical farmhouses dotting the landscape, the ambiance it creates is calm and peaceful. Though Ciacci Piccolomini is a massive estate, only 55.5-hectares are devoted to cultivating their beloved Sangiovese, Sangiovese Grosso, and a few other varietals. The rest of the estate is reserved for the natural landscape, forests and olive groves. The vineyard terroir is comprised of soil with a medium grain texture, with good levels of marl and shale, which date back to the Eocene Period. It is perfectly attuned for Sangiovese, which dominates the landscape with its straggly bunches and big berries with thick skin, typical of the Montalcino area. The Ciacci Piccolomini estate produces three Brunellos, which are all DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin). They are 100% Sangiovese, as required by DOCG regulations in order to be considered Brunello di Montalcino and are the staple of their portfolio. Their Brunello di Montalcino is sourced from an 8-hectare parcel with an altitude of up to 360 meters above sea level. Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso is made only in the best of vintages and is sourced from the vineyard of Pianrosso. This single vineyard is also where the grapes for their Riserva is sourced. Their critically-acclaimed Vigna di Pianrosso Riserva Santa Caterina d’Oro, is the result of careful selections of grapes in the vineyard. It is considered the most representative wine of the estate. Two Rosso di Montalcino wines, (Sangiovese and Sangiovese Grosso) and three other wines are produced at Ciacci Piccolomini, using blends of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Four of the wines are DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and one is an IGT, which is a classification for a wine when a producer does not wish to adhere to the strict DOC or DOCG restrictions.