Name: Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino 2013 750ml
Brand: Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi)
SKU: 877212
Price: 84.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 94 (6 reviews)

Winery

Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi)

Shop all from Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi)

Varietal

Sangiovese

The name of this grape, meaning 'blood of Jove' conjures up evocative images of long dead civilizations, and gives the Sangiovese varietal a sense of the holy, the sacred, the special. Indeed, this particular type of Italian grape has been cultivated and processed for thousands of years, and is said to be the original favorite grape varietal of the Romans, and the Etruscans before them. Throughout history, vintners have continued to plant this varietal, and they continue to produce wonderful wines to this day. The long bunches of very dark, round fruit are treasured by fine wineries in Italy and a few other places around the world, and when young, these grapes are lively â€“ full of strawberry flavors and a little spiciness. However, it is when they are aged in oak that they take on some truly special flavors and aromas, as seen in some of the finest wines of the Old World.

Country

Italy

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.

Region

Tuscany

The central Italian region of Tuscany is widely understood to be one of the world's most famous and highly regarded wine regions. The beautiful rolling hillsides and medieval towns and castles which are a key feature of the area are also home to many of Europe's finest wineries, and extremely high quality vineyards growing the distinctive Sangiovese and Vernaccia grape varietals which are the flavorful backbone of Tuscany's wonderful red and white wines. For almost three thousand years, this region has been recognized as an ideal home for wine production on a large scale, and the ancient Etruscans, Greeks and Romans all noticed that fine grape varietals flourished on the unique soils and under the hot sunshine which typifies the area. Today, Tuscany is home to a wide range of wines, from the traditional to the complex, but all dedicated to excellent flavors and aromas, and maintaining the region's international reputation.

Appellation

Brunello Di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino, an esteemed wine appellation in Tuscany, Italy, has been crafting exceptional red wines since its establishment in 1966. Focused exclusively on the Sangiovese grape, specifically the local Brunello clone, this region's unique terroir of warm, dry climate and well-drained soils imparts richness and complexity to the wines. The hallmark of Brunello is its extended aging, requiring a minimum of four years, with at least two spent in oak barrels. This meticulous process results in bold, full-bodied wines with robust tannins, vibrant acidity, and a remarkable aging potential. Flavors of ripe red berries and dark cherries, coupled with notes of leather, tobacco, and spices, define the nuanced profile of Brunello di Montalcino wines. Exploring these wines offers enthusiasts a captivating journey into the world of Italian winemaking, showcasing the harmonious blend of tradition, terroir, and meticulous craftsmanship.

WE 96pts

Wine Enthusiast

#35 ENTHUSIAST 100 2018. Wild berry, crushed violet, pipe tobacco and chopped herb aromas leap out of the glass. Smooth and savory, the full-bodied palate shows restraint and elegance, delivering red cherry, pomegranate, ground clove and black pepper alongside taut, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity.

JS 95pts

James Suckling

A firm and silky red with plum and dried cherry and some orange peel character. Full body and solid with a flavorful finish. A linear line of acidity and firm tannins make this one of the most structured wines from here in a while. Better in 2020.

VM 94pts

Vinous Media

Bright full ruby-red. Deep, pure aromas of red cherry, herbs, violet, tar and licorice. Thick and dense but tightly wound, showing a very fresh dark fruit character and a youthfully firm-edged tannic spine. Rich and dense, this calls for at least another three to five years of patience, and should last for another decade or two after that. Finishes long with tarry and savory notes, but it’s the floral lift on the back end that I like most.

WA 93pts

Wine Advocate

The Castelgiocondo 2013 Brunello di Montalcino shows impressive balance and a bright sense of inner energy. The wine reveals delicate fruit with wild berry and dried cherry. Those primary notes are carefully enhanced by sweet spice, rose potpourri and moist earth. The ensemble is graceful and territory specific. Long gone are the days when this wine was one of the most opulent and darkly extracted of the appellation. Over these past years, the Frescobaldi family’s base Brunello has embraced a highly streamlined and elegant stylistic approach.

WS 93pts

Wine Spectator

A combination of cherry, leather and tobacco aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this rich, fresh red. This is as much about the vivid acidity as the dense tannins, which add structure and focus to the flavors on the broad, expansive finish. Best from 2023 through 2038.

DC 93pts

Decanter

Despite the overall cooler year, Castelgiocondo still demonstrates its sunlit territory. Tobacco and mint aromas mingle with cedar forest and earthy mushroom. On the palate there is a lusciousness to the plum and cherry backdrop, along with a salty tang. Chewy but not overly robust, tannins are ripe and mouth-coating. Persistent acidity cuts through the dense core. One of the plusher wines of the lineup, this is simply begging for a bowl of hearty pasta.

Winery Notes

The CastelGiocondo is an intense shade of ruby red. CastelGiocondo is always set apart by its elegance, and in this vintage, this characteristic is more marked than ever. The fruity notes, the first to hit our olfactory receptors, are dominated by blueberry and blackberry, flanked by blackcurrant and other berries. They are followed by floral hints of violet and dog rose, which are always found in the bouquet of the best Brunello di Montalcino. Next on the nose are clear spicy notes of black pepper and cardamom, chased by a pleasant aroma of liquorice. On the palate, the tannins are dense but not harsh, accompanied by delicate mineral notes. The consistency between the nose and palate and the long and persistent finish make it particularly balanced.

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