2016 Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens rich and dark in the glass, with spiced orange hints that brighten the mood as tobacco combines with a dusting of cocoa, underbrush and ripe black cherries. This is surprisingly juicy and pliant, light on its feet, with silken textures and ripe red fruits that soothe beneath an air of rosy inner florals. The 2016 tapers off with a tart sensation, leaving chalky tannins that cake the palate as a tart wild berry twang adds tension toward the close. This is maturing beautifully in bottle and already starting to give pleasure, yet waiting is highly recommended.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Mid ruby with the beginning of orange tinges. The nose is a tiny bit herbal and closed/reductive, but the palate is downright seductive with supple perfumed cherry and tangy acidity. Firm tannins on a long aromatic finish. Can be approached now – with the proverbial steak. (WS)
The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is sourced from three vineyard sites in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and spent three years in French and Slavonian oak of various sizes. It offers very pretty, soft floral aromatics of violet, black raspberry, and sweet baking spice. Structurally, the palate is plush and round on the mid-palate, with soft tannins and generous warmth, but without excessive weight. Enjoy over the next 15 or more years. Located in Castelnuova dell’Abate, Uccelliera’s first vintage was in 1991. Andrea Cortonesi purchased the farmland in 1986, and he continues to operate the estate today. His philosophy is simply to respect the terrior and to hold a strong commitment to the sense of place. He believes in a homeopathic approach to viticulture, to observe, listen, and work together with nature. The property includes vineyard holdings in three areas that range from 150 to 350 meters in elevation. They utilize large Slavonian 40-hectoliter barrels as well as 225-liter French barrique.
The Uccelliera 2016 Brunello di Montalcino opens to dark fruit and wild cherry with warmer tones of cured tobacco, spice and potting soil. It shows the extra density, darkness and richness that comes so beautifully to fruit grown on the sun-drenched southern side of Castelnuovo dell'Abate in the southern half of the appellation. What Uccelliera delivers so carefully, vintage after vintage, is a truly exceptional sense of mouthfeel with textural richness and lingering creaminess. It is also one of the wines that consistently shows a sense of place. This is a touchstone estate for this specific Montalcino microclimate. Production is 29,000 bottles.