2011 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
As the years go by I appreciate the timeless beauty of the Luce della Vite label design. I can't think of a label that I like to look at more. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump and juicy wine that is packed tight with all the flavors and goodies you should expect from this celebrated appellation. The Frescobaldi family has taken great care to move away from the overripe and over-extracted style that they championed in the past. Instead, we've started to see elegant and streamlined expressions from this historic Tuscan estate. I would say that this tendency also applies to this wine, although the warm 2011 vintage definitely leaves its mark. The wine is rich and fruit-forward with opulent and fleshy layers. It is coming along nicely despite some young fruit sourness that should flesh out with a few more years of cellar aging. I suggest you drink this wine after 2018.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Luce is dark, super-ripe and heavily extracted. Blackberry jam, mocha, bittersweet chocolate, spice, menthol, plum and cloves wrap around the palate. Copius French oak gives the wine much of its texture and succulence. There isn't a whole lot of Sangiovese character here. Readers who like plush, concentrated wines will enjoy the 2011.
Tasted blind. Impenetrably dark ruby. Opulent fruit and oak on the nose with a soapy note and very dense and sweet on the palate, followed by plenty of acidity. Neither original nor complex. (WS)