Castello di Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2012
(Tuscany, Italy) - [WS 95] [JS 95] [WA 95] [VM 92+]

About the Winery: 
Castello Romitorio was acquired by current owner/winemaker Filippo Chia's father, renowned painter and sculptor Sandro Chia, in 1984. Chia's first wine was bottled in 1984 and, because of the "anti-economical" care that went into it, turned out to be exceptional from the start. The success of his wine surely is the result of his artistic perfectionism - as he said, "I made it much as I paint a picture, and all that paid off."

Only a truly extraordinary harvest can produce the Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino Riserva D.O.C.G.: since its establishment in 1984 Romitorio has released only a handful of vintages of this wine.

A rigorous selection of grapes is made from the estate’s eldest vineyards located in the Northern zone of Montalcino. Each vineyard block is monitored throughout the vegetative process, blocks are chosen and each cluster is carefully tended in order to ensure that the fruit reaches a consistent and optimal ripeness.

The Sangiovese clusters are then harvested meticulously by hand, with hand sorting both before and after destemming. Each vineyard block is then vinified separately.

Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with an initial short period of cold maceration (below 20°C) on the skins for about 15-20 hours. This is followed by up to 24 days of maceration at a higher controlled temperature. Malolactic fermentation that is naturally caused then lasts for about 10 days, before the wine is rested to separate the lees.

The wine matures in oak for approximately 36 months, and after bottling the wine is aged in Castello Romitorio’s temperature-controlled cellars for approximately 24 months before release.

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95 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This is rich, with a dense matrix of tannins, yet also boasts cherry, floral and spice flavors. Touches of tobacco and earth round out the flavor profile as this extends on the finish. Finely balanced, this should be approachable soon. Best from 2020 through 2035. 200 cases made, 20 cases imported." - BS (Jun 30, 2018)

95 Points - James Suckling:
"Some very bright flowers and dried red berries, all making this an attractive fresh impression. There are good aromatic details here. A really focused palate with a vibrant core of tangy cherries with a nice acid kick in the finish. Try from 2020." (15 Jan, 2018)

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Castello Romitorio has cool vineyard sites and is one of the few estates that performs consistently in the warmest years. That's why the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is just so darn good. This estate has tweaked its winemaking style over the years to produce increasingly elegant and streamlined wines. There is finesse here, but you also get bold cherry fruit, moist earth, cured tobacco and grilled herb. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, with good acidity on the close. Only 2,900 bottles were made." - Monica Larner (Feb 2018)

92+ Points - Vinous Media:
"Bright red. Enticing aromas of red plum, Asian spices, candied violet and sandalwood. Then flavors similar to the aromas; polished tannins and a solid acid spine nicely extend the flavors on the long back end. The finish is very juicy and offers delicately spicy and herbal red berry nuances." - Ian D'Agata (Apr 2018)