Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019
(Tuscany, Italy) - [KO 100] [WA 97+] [DM 97] [VM 94+] [JS 94]

About this 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. Their Brunellos emphasize finesse and balance, with layers of ultrafine tannins and subtle ripe fruit, yet they age incredibly well.

About this wine:

• 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Fermented in stainless steel/concrete vats
• Aged in 3-hectoliter oak barrels for 18 months
• Ateo, meaning “atheist,” was first produced in the 1989 vintage. In this vintage, Ciacci decided not to produce a Brunello di Montalcino. The decision coincided with the first harvest of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyards.

Ratings & Reviews:

100 Points - Kerin O'Keefe: 
“Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It’s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning.” (Sep 2023)

97+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens to a wide and all-encompassing bouquet with dried cherry or cherry pie with the crust, plum tart and rose potpourri. There are evident oak tones, but they fold into underbrush, grilled herb and the generous texture of this wine. Likewise, the 15% alcohol content also neatly disappears into the wine's fleshy fruit consistency. For sure, this is a wine that needs more bottle evolution in order to hone in on the silkiness and pretty freshness of such an important Sangiovese. Exactly 43,054 bottles were made along with about 1,000 larger formats." – Monica Larner (Dec 2023)

97 Points - Decanter Magazine:
“Aged in Slavonian oak for 36 months, Pianrosso is a selection from the self-titled vineyard: 11 hectares in the lower southeast of Montalcino. The grapes were harvested between 11 September and 4 October 2019, suggesting a classic vintage. It shines for its Earl Grey tea aroma combined with dark cherry, cinnamon, liquorice, and a floral bouquet. The fruit character is very dark and precise; gorgeous in this vintage. Full bodied, thick and velvety with firm, long yet integrated acidity, it tapers on the finish but this should be considered a signifier of its elegance.” - Aldo Fiordelli (Sep 2023)

94+ Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso tempts the imagination with a darkly alluring bouquet that keeps the taster at the edge of the glass as a cooling whiff of smoke gives way to dried flowers, cedar and exotic spice. It flows across the palate with textures of pure silk, finessed and graceful, with depths of intense red and black fruits that slowly saturate. The 2019 turns inward upon itself through the finish, tannic and long with notes of licorice and cacao bean. This is a serious rendition of Pianrosso that will require patience to enjoy fully. That said, it’s sure to be worth the wait." – Eric Guido (Dec 2023)

94 Points - James Suckling: 
"Sweet berries and cherries on the nose, together with fresh violet and lilac notes. Full body with juicy tannins and a flavorful finish that opens on the palate. Lots of ripe cherry flavor. Tar, too. A rich and layered Pianrosso. One of the bigger, riper wines of the vintage, but still holds true. Try in 2027. " (Sep 2023)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This red pulls you toward the sanguine and iron side of Sangiovese, with a core of cherry and plum flavors that show accents of oak spice and eucalyptus. There's a hard edge of tannins rimming the finish, leaving a compact feel. Best from 2027 through 2039. 5,000 cases made, 2,830 cases imported. – Bruce Sanderson (Apr 2024)