Acclaim

The 2006 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is more reserved and moodier than the 2007 placed beside it, as crushed stone minerality gives way to more black than red fruits, as well as lavender. It’s soft, fleshy yet somehow lifted in feel, coming across as incredibly pure and almost salty in nature, washing notes of plum and savory herbs across the palate, all carried by a core of brisk acidity. At times, the 2006 reminds me more of food than wine. Cherry pits and grippy tannins resonate throughout the finale. There’s a dark, animal nature here that keeps you coming back for more. It’s simply stunning today, but it has many years of positive evolution in store. – Eric Guido

An alluring, spicy and dusty mix of cherry and raspberry preserves, crushed stone and dusty flowers is lifted by cedar shavings and dried citrus peels as the majestic 2017 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is fleshy yet delicate in feel, displaying pure ripe red berry fruit, nicely contrasted by salty mineral tones, and lacking only a bit of midpalate depth that might take it to the next level. It tapers off long while leaving the mouth watering for more, as a gentle tug of tannin slowly fades under rosy inner florals. Andrea Costanti didn’t produce a Riserva in 2017, and so all of that juice was used to try to bolster the Brunello. From what I’ve tasted, I’d say he succeeded.” – Eric Guido

A deeply sensual bouquet of freshly sliced plums, crushed violets, mentholated herbs and Tuscan dust rises up from the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. This is deeply textural while also cool-toned and refined, with mineral-tinged red and black berries cascading across a core of brisk acidity. Tension builds throughout, as grippy tannins mount toward the close, nicely contrasted by a burst of sour citrus. There’s a crystalline structure to the 2016 that tempts the imagination as to what the future will bring, and it tapers off long, youthfully poised, yet also remarkably fresh. Time will only increase the depths of the 2016 Riserva, a wine that I seriously look forward to tasting again in five to ten years. – Eric Guido

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is punchy and spry from the first tilt of the glass, featuring raspberry, roses, licorice and hints of flowery undergrowth. The bouquet darkens over time, taking on shades of cedar, along with blue and purple flowers. It’s silky, pliant and savory, masses of black cherry and spice filling the palate with silky textures that leave saturating minerals in their wake. This tapers off long, dry and primary, perfumed with violets and lavender, as cheek-puckering, tart red berries linger on. The 2017 may be a riper interpretation of Fuligni Brunello, but it has enough power and energy to be quite pleasurable and balanced over the medium term. All of the Riserva juice from 2017 went into the estate Brunello.” – Eric Guido

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva seduces the senses as it mixes savory and sweet, the dusty rose and crushed stone aromas giving way to wild strawberry and dried cherry. A velvety textural wave saturates the palate with salty minerals and tart raspberry fruits, lifted by stunning acidity and cooling herbal tones that create a cascading feel to the crunchy red fruits. While structured and dry, it’s also incredibly long, crystalline in nature, and lingers on notes of salted licorice and savory spice. This shows all of the best qualities of the vintage, expertly matched to the classic stylings of Fuligni. That said, the 2016 is a sleeping giant, in need of cellaring to show its best. Deciding between this and the estate Brunello from 2016 is like splitting hairs, but what I can say is that the Riserva has the potential for a longer life and possibly a higher score when at full maturity.” – Eric Guido

Intensely fragrant, this boasts enticing floral scents of rose and iris that mingle with red berry and camphor. Featuring a heady combination of finesse, structure and accessibility the smooth, delicious palate delivers crushed raspberry, strawberry compote and star anise alongside a backbone of polished tannins. Drink 2024-2032. -Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2021

Enticing aromas of black-skinned berry, forest floor and leather emerge from the glass. The juicy, balanced palate offers black cherry, star anise and tobacco alongside fine grained tannins. -Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2021

Ripe black-skinned berry, underbrush and new leather aromas take shape in the glass. The ripe, savory palate features dried black cherry, white pepper and star anise alongside a backbone of fine-grained tannins. -Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2021

This wine has now graduated to DOC Sicilia status in this 15,000-bottle edition. The Le Casematte 2020 Sicilia Bianco Peloro is a seafood-friendly blend of 65% Grillo and 35% Caricante (the grape name is spelled with one “r” by this estate). With chalky sensations and lots of pretty citrus fruit and stone fruit, the wine is lean-bodied and refreshingly bright with long mineral notes on the close. You get terrific value.  – Monica Larner

The Le Casematte 2018 Faro is a blend of 55% Nerello Mascalese, 25% Nerello Cappuccio, 10% Nocera and 10% Nero d’Avola that offers so much fun and a quirky personality. There is a wild and unruly side to this mid-weight, ruby-colored wine with forest fruit, bramble and peat moss. The tannins are integrated, but this 10,000-bottle edition offers some sharp notes of acidity and tart fruit as well. It should be interesting to follow its evolution over the coming years. – Monica Larner