2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Casa
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Tasting notes
The Caparzo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa offers more intensity and depth next to the annata expressions (also tasted in this report). It's not much, but there is enough of a difference to justify the special single-vineyard selection. Wild fruit, licorice and balsam herb add vertical lift to the bouquet. The magical sharpness and brightness of this wine is linked to the soils of Vigna La Casa, which are blanketed with shards of galestro schist. These soils mitigate the warm growing season. Production is 15,000 bottles.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Mid ruby. Firm, concentrated cherry nose. Plenty of juicy marasca-cherry fruit on the palate and with a sweet, creamy, oaky note on the finish. (WS)
This is fresh, but shows ripeness from the vintage with plums and berries, as well as some dried mushrooms and cherries. Full-bodied, yet formed and crisp. Layered and extremely long. Drinkable now, but better in a year or two, when the tannins will be a little better resolved.
The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna La Casa takes things to a deeper, darker and earthier place, with underbrush and sous-bois giving way to wild herbs and red currants. It’s silky in texture yet salty and savory to the core, delivering mineral-laced woodland berries and smoky notes toward the close. This tapers off with persistence, leaving a staining of primary concentration, along with hints of lavender and blackberries. The 2017 may not have the structural staying power that I typically associate with La Casa, but it is a wonderful expression of vintage and terroir.