2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
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Tasting notes
One of only nine Riservas ever produced at the estate, the 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is a compelling benchmark for the house. The nose is pure and detailed, with red cherries, wild berries, floral perfume, saline earth, and savory spice. Full-bodied, it has a silky, weightless feel on the palate, with ripe tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and a long, finessed finish that stays bright and composed. It should drink beautifully for two decades or more. Drink 2027-2050. Located on the northern slopes of the Montalcino region, surrounded by forest, Castello di Romitorio has produced wines that were impressive across the range, expressive of purity, mineral intensity, finesse, and power without weight. The tannin management is remarkable across the range of the wines tasted for this report. They were tasted at the estate with founder Sandro Chia’s son, Filippo Chia. Also included in this report are his wines from Tenuta Ghiaccio Forte, their sister estate in Scansano.
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Eric Guido, Vinous
More reviews and scores
In the bottle with the white artist label, the Castello Romitorio 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers more intensity and barbecue smoke, especially, but the fruit integration is just as seamless as the other wines in this flight. Along with dark fruit, you get spice, toasted almond, grilled herb and blue flower. It boasts sweet tannins and a soft, texturally rich finish. Only 6,306 bottles were created.
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is to die for. Seamless and silken in feel, it has a classic profile of dried strawberry, dusty rose, cedar shavings, clove and hints of Tuscan dust. The 2019 has a core of juicy acidity that enhances its ripe wild berry scents as nuances of sour citrus add complexity under an air of violet inner florals. This tapers off licorice-tinged and perfumed, with remarkable length, fine-grained tannins and a pleasantly bitter sensation that calls the taster back to the glass for more.