Castelgiocondo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Frescobaldi

The Castelgiocondo estate is the Brunello estate owned by Marchesi di Frescobaldi. It lies on the southwestern slope of Montalcino, at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. Diverse soils and ideal exposure bring beautiful ripeness and development to the indigenous Sangiovese Grosso. This wine is always a classic, and the outstanding 2018 vintage excels. The 100% Sangiovese grapes were picked by hand and carefully selected after arriving in the cellar. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature with frequent pump-overs, particularly during the early stages. The wine was then aged in large oak casks, where it was able to mature, ripen and develop balance. The 2018 CastelGiocondo is an intense shade of ruby red. Always set apart by its elegance, this characteristic is more marked than ever in this vintage. The fruity notes, the first to hit your olfactory receptors, are dominated by blueberry and blackberry, flanked by blackcurrant and other berries. They are followed by floral hints of violet and dog rose, which are always found in the bouquets of the best Brunello di Montalcino. Next on the nose are clear spicy notes of black pepper and cardamom, chased by a pleasant aroma of licorice. On the palate, the tannins are dense but not harsh, accompanied by delicate mineral notes. The consistency between the nose and palate and the long and persistent finish make it particularly balanced. James Suckling scored this 95 Points saying "Very aromatic and beautiful with blackberry and black-cherry aromas. Hints of flowers. Medium-bodied and extremely refined. Bright and elegant." Robert Parker