La Colombina di Caselli Anna Maria
Federico Caselli’s thick Tuscan accent leaves no doubt as to the local origins of this up-and-coming estate at Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The Caselli family has been smallholders here for generations, until recently practising the traditional mixed farming of the area and only making wine for domestic use. It converted to specialised wine growing in 1997 with the planting of 3ha in locations which rub shoulders with some of the most illustrious names of this southern Montalcino cru. The first vintage from the new vineyards came out in 2001. Caselli considers 2004 his best wine to date, while 2007, he says, will need time to reveal its full potential.
Richard Baudains: ‘Upfront aromas of ink, graphite and cedar, with hints of sour plum. Concentrated palate with lean tannins and nervy acidity.’
Rosemary George MW: ‘Firm cedary fruit on nose and palate. Elegant wine with depth and well-integrated tannins.’
Jane Hunt MW: ‘Classy, beautiful expression of Sangiovese. Layered nose of dried fruit and pot pourri. A lush palate gushes with bags of fruit and a perfect balance of tannin and acidity. Maturing red is rich in complexity.’
Decanter average score: 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: Richard Baudains 17.5pts Jane Hunt MW 19.5pts Rosemary George MW 18.5pts/20
Price N/A UK lacolombinavini.it
Drink 2012–2020
Alc 14.5%
Tenuta Friggiali
It’s not unusual for producers at Montalcino to own plots in different parts of the DOCG zone, but the tendency is to blend wines from different vineyards rather than highlight single terroir features with separate bottlings. The Peluso-Centolani family is an exception to this rule, having always bottled its wines from the Pietranera estate at Castenuovo dell’Abate separately to those from Friggiali, which is located on the slopes immediately south of Montalcino. Pietranera ages in French oak and has the structure, depth and intensity of Castelnuovo. Friggiali has the aroma and the racy elegance of Montalcino and the touch of tradition given by the use of medium-size Slavonian oak barrels. Riccardo Cotarella is the consultant winemaker, and it shows.
RB ‘A herbaceous and floral nose with pure berry fruit. Austere tannins provide a dry and precise palate. The finish is long and concentrated. Great potential.’
RG ‘A light, fresh nose bursting with cherry fruit. The elegant palate is medium bodied with firm tannins and a dry finish.’
JH ‘Delicate aromas of savoury dried peaches are warm and inviting. A well-structured palate offers firm but not overwhelming tannins. Suggests all the typical elements of a Brunello di Montalcino.’
Decanter average score: 18.5pts/20 (95/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 19pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 18pts/20
Price N/A UK tenutafriggialiepietranera.it
Drink 2014–2021
Alc 14%
Canneta
Complex aromas of figs, dates, sour cherry, spices and dried petals. Fluid palate, refined tannins, excellent balance and firm finish. Drinking now.
Decanter average score: 18.25pts/20 (94/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18.5pts/20 JH 19pts/20 RG 17pts/20
Price N/A UK www.i-mori.it
Drink 2012–2017
Alc 14%
Le Gode
Light, leafy fruit aromas on top with sweeter ripe fruit below. Warm flavours of sweet ’n’ sour sauce, savoury tobacco leaf and black cherry. Drinking well now.
Decanter average score: 18.25pts/20 (94/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 18pts/20
Price N/A UK legode.it
Drink 2012–2020
Alc 14%
Belpoggio
Smoky graphite nose with underlying cassis. A punchy wine with tantalising fruit, tangy acidity and a long, grippy finish.
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18.5pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 17pts/20
Price N/A UK belpoggio.it
Drink 2014–2020
Alc 14%
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, Pianrosso
Very fruity and vibrant Sangiovese nose. Big, dense tannins with fresh acidity and a long, grapey, tannic finish. Lovely succulent fruit flavours.
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18pts/20 JH 18pts/20 RG 18pts/20
Price £26–£29 Genesis Wines
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14.5%
Fattoi
Rose petals, baking spices, dried red fruit and a savoury, bitter, meaty nose with salty-mineral underlay. Rich, supple, dense palate, with a nice Sangiovese grip on the finish.
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18pts/20 JH 19pts/20 RG 17pts/20
Price £18 Prestige Food & Wine
Drink 2012–2017
Alc 14.5%
Gaja, Pieve Santa Restituta, Rennina
Shows some maturity. The nose is perfumed, earthy and floral. A harmonious and round palate of spicy and savoury fruit. Classy.
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 17.5pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 18pts/20
Price £109 Armit, Vinum
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14.5%
Tenute Donna Olga, Le Cacce
Toasty oak nose, with a touch of minerals and undergrowth. Flavours of spicy, ripe fruit follow through with a complex, lush and long richness. Showing some signs of maturity, but still quite youthful.
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18.5pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 18pts/20
Price N/A UK tenutedonnaolga.it
Drink 2013–2020
Alc 14%
Terre Nere, Campigli Vallone
Decanter average score: 18pts/20 (93/100pts)
Individual judge’s scores: RB 18.5pts/20 JH 18.5pts/20 RG 17pts/20
Very expressive Sangiovese nose, with black cherry and plum and a long, minerally follow through. Dry, grippy palate with wild berries, and balanced oak.
Price N/A UK terreneremontalcino.com
Drink 2014–2020
Alc 14.5%
Tutti gli altri brunelli degustati, li potete consultare al link :
http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34342/slideshow/9/brunello-di-montalcino-2007#slideshow
