Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona "Pianrosso" Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2021
(Tuscany, Italy) - [JS 98] [F 97] [JD 96] [VM 95] [WA 95]

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 - James Suckling:
"Enticing aromas of red cherries, dried strawberries and hints of plums, cedar, sandalwood and balsamic. Medium-bodied with a tight and rich center palate and a chewy and powerful finish. This needs time to come together and soften slightly. Best after 2029." (Dec 2025)

97 Points - Falstaff:
"Bright ruby with a pronounced garnet hue. Open and accessible nose, opens with notes of dark cherries, raspberries and some plums, with spicy cedar wood in the background. Full-bodied and intense on the palate, shows plenty of robust tannins, still brittle and slightly warming on the finish, still needs a long ageing period." (Mar 2026)

96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso pours a youthful red hue and has a deeper, more complete expression in this vintage. The nose has a cologne-like lift, with brushy sage, cigar box, baked cherries, crushed stones, and licorice. Full-bodied, it stays light on its feet and carries velvety tannins, mouthwatering salinity, and refreshing acidity, with a finish that builds with warmth and spice. It should gain depth with time in bottle. Drink 2027-2040." – Audrey Frick (Feb 2026)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso slowly evolves with nuances of tobacco, crushed stone, dried herbs, crushed violets and mentholated blackberries. Its velvety textures coat the palate with ripe red and black fruit, crisp mineral tones, fine tannins and a balancing core of stimulating acidity. The 2021 is structured and incredibly long, leaving hints of mocha and licorice on the chewy, tension-filled finish. Though powerful and intense, its inner harmony can not be denied." – Eric Guido (Nov 2025)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:
"Dark and richly textured, this expression opens with ripe fruit nuances, sweet plum and baking spice. The Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 2021 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso is unapologetic about ripeness and the more concentrated side of Sangiovese, a style reinforced by the warm growing conditions of the vintage and the naturally powerful Pianrosso site. There is so much richness and phenolic texture here that it recalls warm years such as 2017 or 2019. The tannins are soft, the alcohol is high at 15.5%, and production stands at 43,000 bottles, including larger formats." - Monica Larner (Jan 2026)