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Castelgiocondo (Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino 2018 750ml
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SKU 927215
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Very aromatic and beautiful with blackberry and black-cherry aromas. Hints of flowers. Medium-bodied and extremely refined. Bright and elegant. Drink or hold.
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 – 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.
JS95pts
James Suckling
Very aromatic and beautiful with blackberry and black-cherry aromas. Hints of flowers. Medium-bodied and extremely refined. Bright and elegant. Drink or hold.
Winery Notes
Rated 93 - This 2018 Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo has a bright youthful mid-ruby color. On the nose there is an upfront fruity, cherry note but with a little musky overlay, a hint of leather perhaps, and some sweet oak spice. On the palate it is round, medium to full bodied, with quite chunky tannins, tangy acidity and a salty, savory finish. The tannins feel a little extracted and less refined, slightly heavy in terms of oak. Quite a chunky robust style but energetic too. - The Wine Independent
WA92pts
Wine Advocate
In the pale cream-colored label, the Frescobaldi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is richly textured and packed with dark fruit, black cherry and dried blackberry. The wine shows good concentration—probably a little more than your standard Brunello—with integrated tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is moderate in length, and this wine is ready to drink straight out of the gate.
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
Elegant, with a vibrant structure shoring up cherry, raspberry, plum, earth and underbrush flavors. Turns compact on the finish, yet bright acidity and vestiges of the fruit keep this focused. Best from 2025 through 2040. 27,500 cases made, 3,000 cases imported.
WE92pts
Wine Enthusiast
The nose oscillates between sweet, warm aromas of vanilla, chocolate, baking spices and Luxardo cherries and then savory notes of graphite, gunpowder and leather. The palate indulges in the cherries and chocolate, giving a luxurious mouthfeel even as tannins are still wound tightly.
DC92pts
Decanter
Plums, hoisin sauce, a soy touch, savoury nuances on the nose with ripe red berries, dark chocolate, coffee and toasted hazelnuts. Punchy and forward, this has a lovely sense of life and liveliness to it with cool blue fruit touches, wet stone nuances and some bitter chocolate edges. Sleek and silky, smooth with lovely purity. Friendly and appealing on the palate with a lifted finish and overall sense of joy. Easy drinking for sure still with bite and edges giving the complexity and interest. i love the tannins - so well integrated but so present - they really give the wine its shape and leave the lasting impression on the finish giving the definition.
JD92pts
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is initially generous with aromas of dark fruit and spice, with notes of black cherry, smoke, cedar, and scorched earth. It is medium to full-bodied, with fresh blackberry, turned soil, and dried herbs, and its structure continues past its fruit, which is fresh and has a pretty arch, with dusty tannins and mineral texture gripping the palate. Drink this sturdy, solid effort 2024-2030.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dusty and floral on the nose, with a mix of dried black cherries, shaved cedar and wild flowers forming its inviting bouquet. This is round, almost juicy in feel, with cooling mineral tones and brisk acidity that maintains an unexpectedly energetic character, as tart wild berry fruits slowly saturate. The 2018 finishes with grippy tannins, yet also surprisingly fresh, leaving nuances of red licorice to slowly taper off. This really took me by surprise, as I'm so accustomed to Castelgiocondo being such a brooding and powerful wine in its youth, but that is the magic of the 2018 vintage.
