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SKU 920405
$57.75/bottle
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Bright cherries and orange fruit here with bergamot and balsamic. Juicy and fruit-forward, with a full body and ripe, sleek tannins. Touch of sweet and salty adds interest. Drink from 2023. The colour is dark ruby and the nose is classic Sangiovese, transporting one instantly to Montalcino. The bouquet is a little tight at first ranging from gentle balsamic notes and a hint of steak. In time it deepens to a delicious herbaceousness, accompanied by mouth-watering aromas of ripe cherry and dark berries. In the background tell-tale floral notes of violets lurk. In the mouth the first impression is of a very pleasant juiciness paired with ripe fruit and seductive well-structured tannins. The mouth-feel is round and silky-smooth with expertly integrated alcohol. It is generously mouth-filling and rewards with a long fruity finish.
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.
JS93pts
James Suckling
Bright cherries and orange fruit here with bergamot and balsamic. Juicy and fruit-forward, with a full body and ripe, sleek tannins. Touch of sweet and salty adds interest. Drink from 2023.
VM93pts
Vinous Media
More like an exotic herbal tea than wine, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino lifts from the glass with a menagerie of foreign spices, wild herbs and dried red fruits. This is elegant and finessed, with vibrant acidity enlivening its tart wild berry fruits, and pretty inner rose tones that evolve toward the close. Nuances of licorice and sour cherry linger on, as the 2018 finishes light on structure but big on character. This is so enjoyable already that it's hard to imagine waiting, but do make sure to cellar this for at least a year or two for the full effect.
DC92pts
Decanter
This brings together fruit from cool northwest-facing plots, at 540 metres near the town of Montalcino, with warmer, lower-lying vineyards in the region’s southeast. The 2018 saw a slightly shorter maceration – just two weeks as opposed to three. Taking time to come into focus, the nose suggests attractive strawberry blossom, cinnamon and rosehip. The palate is lean and clear fruited with red currants and lots of mineral nuance packed in. The tannins are tightly wound and sinewy, giving texture and backbone, and the sappy acidity is positively scrumptious. Beautifully balanced in its proportions.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
The Il Palazzone 2018 Brunello di Montalcino offers ripe fruit and lots of spice over an open-knit and accessible mouthfeel. Like some of the other wines from this vintage, this Brunello shows some evolution and a more oxidative approach that bodes well for near and medium-term drinking. It closes with sour cherry, black olive, grilled herb and toasted oak spice. Production is exactly 13,108 bottles.
Winery Notes
The colour is dark ruby and the nose is classic Sangiovese, transporting one instantly to Montalcino. The bouquet is a little tight at first ranging from gentle balsamic notes and a hint of steak. In time it deepens to a delicious herbaceousness, accompanied by mouth-watering aromas of ripe cherry and dark berries. In the background tell-tale floral notes of violets lurk. In the mouth the first impression is of a very pleasant juiciness paired with ripe fruit and seductive well-structured tannins. The mouth-feel is round and silky-smooth with expertly integrated alcohol. It is generously mouth-filling and rewards with a long fruity finish.
