Marchesi de Frescobaldi Brunello di Montalcino "CastelGiocondo" DOCG 2014 - 1.5L Magnum -
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WE 93] [WA 91] [VM 91] [WS 90]

About the Winery:
The village of Castelgiocondo overlooks the historic estate of the Frescobaldis in Montalcino: an ancient stronghold built in 1100 to defend the road leading from the sea to Siena. The property is one of the first 4 to begin producing Brunello di Montalcino in 1800, and its historic importance is represented on the label of Castelgiocondo by the figure of a condottiere from a celebrated fresco of the Sienese artist Simone Martini.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Castelgiocondo is produced from a selection of the finest Sangiovese, in a vineyard whose ideal elevation, well-drained soils, and southwest-facing exposure yield all of the qualities to produce a great expression of the variety. It is an elegant, well-balanced wine of magnificent structure. Is made with organically grown grapes.

Tasting Notes:
Brunello CastelGiocondo 2014 appeals first to the eye with its bright, rich ruby-red hue. On the nose, fruity notes dominate, ranging from raspberry to blackcurrant, with vague hints of blueberry. Elegant floral notes then emerge, offering striking and surprising scents of violet. Spicy tertiary notes are then released, due to the lengthy ageing process. Cinnamon, pepper and leather combine in an experience of extreme elegance, finishing on a balsamic note. The wine envelops the mouth completely and impresses with its balance, its dense tannic texture and its minerality, as well as its long, persistent finish.

Technical Information

About the Vintage:
The winter season was characterised by quite mild temperatures, unusual for the time of year. The reawakening vines were greeted with warm and sunny spring days. The cool and particularly rainy summer encouraged longer vegetative development. The second half of September was characterised by lack of rain, ample sun and significant diurnal-nocturnal temperature variations, which accelerated maturation, delivering rich grapes with aromatic, colourful and structural components.

Vinification and Ageing:
Attentive care in the vineyard combined with the typical characteristics of this unmistakable terroir led to a beautiful harvest. The Sangiovese grapes were picked by hand and underwent ascrupulous selection process once in the cellar. Fermentation took place in stainless steel vats at acontrolled temperature, with frequent pressing during the first stages. The wine was then aged in wood, where it matured, becoming refined and balanced. After a period of five full years in the cellar and afurther few months of maturation in the bottle, Brunello CastelGiocondo was ready to make itself known.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Aromas of woodland berry, damp soil, new leather and crushed thyme form the nose along with a whiff of iris. Linear and elegant, the polished palate evokes juicy red cherry, pomegranate, licorice and a hint of coffee alongside fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It's already approachable but also offers good mid-term aging. Drink 2020–2026." Kerin O’Keefe (June, 2019)

91 Points - Robert Parker Wine Advocate:
"The 2014 Brunello di Montalcino (with 300,000 bottles made) hits a sweet spot. It's not too intense, nor is it too weak. Hitting that balance was not easy for many producers across the appellation, especially in a vintage that threw as many curve balls as this one. This wine offers measured fruit, measured intensity and tannins that are firm but also accessible. Given the large bottle production here, this is a good go-to Brunello for those who want to taste the vintage, but who don't want to get bogged down by anything more complicated." - Monica Larner (31st Jan 2019)

91 Points - Vinous Media:
"Luminous red. Fresh aromas of redcurrant, tea leaf, underbrush, minerals and blood orange. Then juicy and bright with a midweight mouthfeel and flavors similar to the aromas. Finishes vibrant and very pure. A lovely Brunello in the light style that is typical of 2014; well done. I'd drink this up sooner than later, but I love its combination of early drinking pleasure and food-flexibility; in fact, this will make an outstanding restaurant wine by the glass choice. "Ian D'Agata" (March 2019)

90 Points - Wine Spectator:
"High-strung, offering floral, strawberry, cherry and mineral flavors stretched tightly on a linear frame. Shows intensity and harmony, along with a finely etched structure, ending with a long aftertaste of fruit, mineral and spice. Best from 2021 through 2040. 15,833 cases made." - Bruce Sanderson (6/15/2019)