Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino 2018 750ml

There is something heady and invigorating about this: a lifted nose of oak and fruit with notions of Marasca cherry, violet and pomegranate. Earthy hints appear, too, as do nuances of sage and soy with increasing age. The body has densely woven, firm but fine tannins, according to the wine a great structure; a skeleton upon which fruit, oak and aroma can express themselves fully. The wine unfolds slowly in the glass, becoming more sinuous and sensuous with air while the gentle astringency of the tannins is very moreish. Bottle age brings welcome tertiary notes of leather and herb, both grip and aroma are long lasting. This is impressive upon release but even more true to itself with advancing age. 

Elegantly woven together, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino is herbaceous with compelling aromas of tarragon, red cherry preserve, medicinal herbs, saline, and dried rose petals. It displays graceful ease and arch through the palate, with its layers gently coaxing through a long finish. It is noted by red raspberry, sweet herbs, fresh orange, and softly textured stony earth, and it has refreshing acidity with a delicate throughline and ultra-fine tannins. This is an absolutely gorgeous and gracefully transparent expression to drink over the next 15-20 years. Rating: 95+

94 Points- Wine Spectator
A graceful red hallmarked by cherry, strawberry, rose, mineral and Mediterranean herbs. Lacy and succulent yet firm, ending on the minerally side. Vibrant and long.

94 Points- Vinous Darkly alluring and dusty in style, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino impresses with a blend of dried citrus peels, shavings of cedar, flowery undergrowth, black cherries and Tuscan dust. It’s soft-textured, buoyant even, with depths of velvety, textural red and blue fruits and sweet liquid inner violet tones that stain the palate. The 2018 finishes fresh and long with notions of wild blueberry and hints of balsamic spice, framed by a coating of fine tannin. Romitorio used all of their fruit that is usually reserved for the Riserva to bolster their Brunello in 2018. Production was also down by 15% due to a strict selection to eliminate moldy berries. That said, this is a total success for the vintage.