This has an expressive nose offering aromas of ripe red berry, violet, star anise and coffee bean. Elegantly structured, the linear palate features mature black cherry, blood orange, ground clove and espresso alongside taut, fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Give it several years to fully develop. Drink 2026–2036. Kerin O’Keefe | 95 KOThis has an expressive nose offering aromas of ripe red berry, violet, star anise and coffee bean. Elegantly structured, the linear palate features mature black cherry, blood orange, ground clove and espresso alongside taut, fine-grained tannins that leave a firm finish. Give it several years to fully develop. Drink 2026–2036.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEThis is a wine to watch, thanks to some exciting new changes to come. The Antinori family purchased new vineyards located at the highest point in the appellation at the romantically named Passo del Lume Spento (Pass of the Extinguished Lantern) where higher altitudes make for cooler growing conditions. This new acquisition complements the estate’s current holdings in Pian delle Vigne (translated as the "flatlands of vines") located at much warmer lower elevations with heavier reddish soils. That means future vintages (wines to come after the 2018 Brunello that is already in bottle as I write this) may see a blend of fruit from the two sites, giving the winemaking team much more latitude to blend from both cool and warm parcels. Or the Passo del Lume Spento fruit could end up in its own single-vineyard bottling. It will be interesting to see how the estate uses its new fruit and its new winery.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPThe 2016 Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino from Antinori is dark and rich, displaying notes of brown spice, mocha and tobacco, before giving way to musky black cherries and sage. Its cooling, creamy textures usher in a dense wave of ripe red and hints of black fruit, with salty minerals and fine-grained tannins providing grip. Licorice and violets resonate, along with inner earth tones throughout the long and structured finish. The Pian delle Vigne will require many years of cellaring to show its best, but it is well worth the wait.Vinous Media | 93 VMA mix of cherry and berry fruit and wild herbs mark this red, whose texture starts out smooth before tannins turn aggressive on the finish. There is a lingering aftertaste of cherry, iron, earth and tobacco. Best from 2024 through 2042. 4,200 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WSAntinori’s expansive Pian delle Vigne estate is in the warm western sector of Camigliano. The gently inclined vineyards sit at modest elevations and are licked by salty sea breezes coming off the Mediterranean. The 2016 is one of the loveliest in recent memory. It demonstrates the ripeness and richness of the area, with vivacious red fruited Sangiovese purity. Accents of salted caramel, dried flowers and sweet spice lend plenty of charm.Decanter | 93 DECCherry, plum and cedar aromas follow through to a medium to full body with integrated, polished tannins that are fine and pretty. Not the biggest Brunello from this vintage, but shows interest and focus. Try after 2023.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2016 Brunello di Montalcino has aromatics of red cherry liqueur, balsamic, and fresh fig, with a sunny Mediterranean feel. The palate is forward with grippy tannins, though matched with ripe mid-palate fruit and freshness, with ripe red cherry, dried herbs, and tobacco. The 2016 was aged for two years in large oak, before resting in bottle. Enjoy 2025-2035.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JD
