Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona "Pianrosso" Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2020
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 98] [JD 96] [VM 94] [WA 93] [DM 93] [WS 92] [TWI 92]

About the Winery: 
Ciacci Piccolomini is one of the most sought-after producers in all of Italy. This ancient estate has 35 hectares of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone, including the 'Pianrosso' vineyard (meaning 'red field,' a reference to the iron rich soils). Made by the brother-and-sister team Paolo and Lucia Bianchini, this ancient estate was left to the Bianchini family in 1985 by Countess Elda Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, who had no heirs; Giuseppe (Paolo and Lucia's father) had been the estate manager. 

About this Wine:
Their Brunellos emphasize finesse and balance, with layers of ultra-fine tannins and subtle ripe fruit, yet they age incredibly well. The vineyard consists of medium grain soil with good levels of marl, dating from the Eocene period at an altitude that ranges from 240 to 360 meters.  The “Pianrosso” plot of the vineyard consists of heavy iron deposits. 

Fermentation and refinement:
Stainless steel and glass concrete vats with temperature controlled through cooling plates and jackets.

Aging:
Over 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels and barriques, followed by over 8 months in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes:

The bouquet is intense, complex, fruit-forward and spicy with hints or ripe red berry fruits enriched by various spicy notes. Warm, soft and harmonic on the palate. Great balance among pronounced tannins, acidity and savoriness. This elegant wine has great potential for further cellar ageing.

Food pairings: 
Great companion of stewed and roasted meat and game (such as hare, pheasant and wild boar). Excellent with mature cheeses.

Ratings & Reviews:

98 Points & #3 Top 100 Wines of Italy for 2025- James Suckling:
"Intense, vibrant aromas of strawberries and raspberries, together with cola and flowery notes. Milk and mint nuances, too. Shows a lot of licorice elegance and blood-orange freshness on both the nose and palate with firm, velvety tannins and well-packed, brilliant acidity and a polished finish. Good aftertaste and amazing potential. Very classic. Drinkable now, but best from 2025." (Sep 2024)

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"A bright orange/red color, the 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianorosso is very pretty on the nose, with notes of pomegranate, roses, potpourri, sweet herbs, and a hint of menthol. Medium-framed, it's elegant and harmonious, with a weightless feel, ripe and chalky tannins, and a clean, balanced finish. I think it will gain depth and complexity as it matures, but it sure is lovely to check in with now. Drink 2026-2046." – Audrey Frick (Jan 2025)

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"Freshly split pine, tobacco and stone dust gives way to dried strawberries and mint nuances as the 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso slowly blossoms in the glass. Silken and serene, this excels through its acidity, cool-toned and fresh, enlivening the 2020s core of rich wild berry fruits. Hints of blood orange add further gravitas as it finishes with a surprisingly juicy character, leaving edgy tannins and a pleasantly bitter concentration. This wild child will require cellaring to come fully into focus, yet I'm incredibly excited to revisit it in another three to five years." – Eric Guido (Nov 2024)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2020 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso (with 43,000 bottles made along with some larger formats) is a little overdone in my opinion in terms of ripeness and its powerful 15.5% alcoholic content. The bouquet reveals dark fruit aromas, cherry liqueur, brandied plum and sweet crème de cassis. This is a thickly grained Brunello with a soft, richly textured core. I recommend a medium-term drinking window, although that touch of tannic astringency might never fully integrate. - Monica Larner (Nov 2024)

93 Points – Decanter Magazine:
"Pianrosso is crafted from five contiguous iron-rich, Galestro plots rising from 240 to 360 metres above sea level, where vines average 37 years old. Clocking in at a whopping 15.5% alcohol, the 2020 is rather lavish, verging on heavy though not without fascination. Overtly fragrant, it exudes rose potpourri, cardamom, balsamic herbs and caramel. Plush and full, the palate hinges around strawberry compote modestly countered by soft acidity, with tannins that are persistently dusty. This will appeal to those seeking a big, opulent Brunello." – Michaela Morris (Nov 2024)

92 Points – Wine Spectator:
"A mix of fruity and savory elements, this red is supple and shows fine presence midpalate, evoking cherry, strawberry, tomato leaf and iron flavors. Ends with oak spice and earth accents. Best from 2027 through 2040. 3,600 cases made, 960 cases imported." – Bruce Sandersn (Jun 2025)

92 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Medicinal herbs lead the aromas on the 2020 Pianrosso, with geléed black raspberry and leather. The palate is rich and viscous, with the alcohol showing in a forward nature. While there are some very enjoyable elements of this wine, it lacks the freshness that would encourage long-term bottle maturation. The finish is medium long." – Vanessa Conlin (Dec 2024)