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SKU 922497
$487.68/case
$81.28/bottle
Tariffs included
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A modern slanting wine, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is lush with wooded spices, smoky cigar box, preserved cherry, sweet tobacco, and dried roses. It is full-bodied on the palate but has a compact structure, with ripe tannins, crunchy fruits, refreshing acidity, and fantastic balance. Notes of fresh sage, dusty earth, and berries are also layered throughout. It has the potential to develop beautifully over the years into the polished leather side. This is a fantastic and sunny wine from a more transparent vintage. Drink 2025-2040.
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.
JD96pts
Jeb Dunnuck
A modern slanting wine, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is lush with wooded spices, smoky cigar box, preserved cherry, sweet tobacco, and dried roses. It is full-bodied on the palate but has a compact structure, with ripe tannins, crunchy fruits, refreshing acidity, and fantastic balance. Notes of fresh sage, dusty earth, and berries are also layered throughout. It has the potential to develop beautifully over the years into the polished leather side. This is a fantastic and sunny wine from a more transparent vintage. Drink 2025-2040.
WE95pts
Wine Enthusiast
The nose showcases a spectrum of umami aromas, from soil to astringent fruit to balsamic, stone and wild herbs. The palate leans into the fruity notes, with pepper providing heat and a continued metallic quality providing structure. Tightly coiled tannins and buoyant acid accentuate haughty citrus overtones.
WA94pts
Wine Advocate
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens nicely in the glass, drawing upon more intensity and depth as it does. It shows firm lines and a fleshed-out mouthfeel that encourages plenty of layering and textural richness. That velvety quality is the enduring signature of this estate, one that has achieved consistent results over the years. The only outlier to this pretty portrait is a 15% alcohol content that, although well absorbed by the wine's texture, does risk becoming a distraction. Exactly 28,666 bottles were made.
WS94pts
Wine Spectator
Broad and dense, delivering plum, cherry, leather, tobacco and earth flavors underlined by assertive tannins, which show solid grip on the lingering finish. Reveals fruit buried within, so give this some time to integrate more fully. Best from 2026 through 2045.
VM94pts
Vinous Media
Undeniably pretty and slightly exotic, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a multifaceted bouquet of wild strawberry, fresh mint, balsam herbs, cloves and hints of sweet smoke. This is luxuriously silky and supple, enveloping the palate in ripe wild berry fruits, as a tantalizing inner sweetness and hints of tobacco forms toward the close. Saline-minerals add an almost-crunchy feel through the finish, and while tannic, it doesn't distract at all from the 2018’s graceful nature, yet also energetic, as notes of plum and licorice linger on and on. This is a spectacular Brunello of the vintage.
JS93pts
James Suckling
This is creamy and open with tasty notes of sour cherries, plum stones, roasted nuts, mocha and sandalwood. Full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins providing a silky frame. Juicy finish. Drink or hold.
Winery Notes
Rated 93 - Camphor, new leather, spice and forest floor aromas lead the way on this full-bodied red. Big and bold, the chewy palate shows cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and black tea alongside tightly meshed, close-grained tannins. The warmth of alcohol lingers on the close. - Kerin O’Keefe
DC92pts
Decanter
Uccelliera is crafted from multiple plots at varying altitudes and exposures around the town of Castelnuovo dell’Abate. While a bit more restrained and less voluptuous than recent vintages, the 2018 nevertheless remains true to its generous, intense style and it will satisfy those seeking a hearty Brunello full of gusto. Wood-driven notes of vanilla and char dissolve into nutmeg, cinnamon and herbs. There's a touch of macerated fruit on the palate underscored by sweet earth and tobacco. Abundant tannins remain supple and enveloping, while a core of concentrated acidity keeps it all in check through to a very spicy finish.
