2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
An inky red color, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and concentrated with aromas of black cherry liqueur, toasted vanilla, pine, fresh sage, and sappy herbs. Its oak spice is more prevalent at this young stage in its development, but it's well-managed and has a lux feel. Full-bodied, savory, and structured, it demands more time due to its brooding and grippy feel. Though the tannins are ripe, it has a lot of tension in its broad-shouldered and more muscular feel. It will take time for its oak to integrate fully, but it's a very well done wine in its style. Drink 2028-2048. Based in Castelnuova dell'Abate, Andrea Cortonesi leads his family estate, as well as their more recent wines of Voliero, which can also found in this report.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
We have not seen a Riserva from Uccelliera in a few years. The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wears a heavy mantle of oak that adds sweet cinnamon and vanilla stick. Those oak tones are prominent, but they do remain sweet and hydrated nonetheless; and that's a plus, because you don't get drying tannins, although there is a pinch of astringency at this young stage. Blackberry and dried rose potpourri are featured along with sandalwood and sauna wood. The alcohol content is high at 15.5%. This is a release of 10,400 bottles plus larger formats, and it should be interesting to watch its bottle evolution.
Dark ruby with orange tinges. Very closed and compact on the nose. A core of rich, ripe cherry fruit with bittersweet, powdery tannins. Backward on the nose but ready on the palate with tones of ripe fruit. (WS)
A whiff of spicy oak and balsam herbs introduces the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, as Christmas spice, crushed black cherries and dusty earth come to the fore. This sweeps across the palate, elegant and without a hard edge in sight, with polished red berry fruits that flow across a silken textural wave. Zesty acidity adds a mouthwatering character through the finish, as fine-grained tannins and spice resonate. At times, the 2019 delivers a sense of opulence, yet I expect to find a truly harmonious Brunello of the highest level as its oak integrates. Tasted from barrel.