Conti Attems Cicinis 2020 is a sublime expression of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy's finest terroirs. This white wine, by illustrious producer Attems, comes from the acclaimed Cicinis vineyard, lauded for its unique microclimate and mineral-rich soil. The meticulous wine-making process of Conti Attems Cicinis 2020 reflects centuries-old traditions, using hand-picked grapes of Sauvignon Blanc, matured meticulously, ensuring perfect ripeness.

The winemaking process highlights the wine's mineral-note complexities, with fermentation in French oak barrels, enhancing an elegant structure. The result is a wine brimming with aromatic notes of elderflower, green pepper, and tropical fruit, underscored by prominent minerality. The full-bodied palate delights with freshness and persistence, with a lingering almond finish.

Conti Attems Cicinis 2020 is a shining example of Attems' commitment to creating wines expressing the authenticity and character of Friuli Venezia Giulia's terroir. A remarkable testament to the natural harmony between land, climate and grape variety.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Delicately scented, this offers underbrush, pressed violet and wild berry aromas. It's medium-bodied and loaded with elegance, delivering crushed raspberry, Morello cherry, licorice and a hint of pipe tobacco set against taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity provides balance. It's a bit austere at this stage but will develop beautifully.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Fragrant and all about finesse, this gorgeous wine opens with enticing aromas of blue flower, forest floor, wild berry and a whiff of eucalyptus. It's linear and elegant, delivering succulent red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and tobacco alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it impeccably balanced.

Wine Enthusiast (99)

This savory stunner has enticing scents of violet, rose and wild berry that gain complexity alongside notes of leather, camphor and sandalwood. The elegantly structured palate is all about precision, featuring juicy cherry, blood orange, star anise and tobacco framed in taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

Extremely elegant and focused, this compelling wine defies the heat of the vintage, starting with a heady fragrance of ripe dark-skinned berries, violet, camphor, dark spice and whiffs of crushed herbs. On the linear, elegantly structured palate, tightly woven but extremely polished tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and white pepper while fresh acidity keeps it balanced and fresh. Drink 2025–2032

Kerin O'Keefe (99)

Perfumed berry, pine forest, new leather and violet aromas mingle with enticing scents of vineyard dust that segue into underbrush and nutmeg. Linear, lithe and all about elegance, the savory palate has great energy that lifts juicy red cherry, spiced cranberry, star anise and tangy saline notes that linger on the close. Tight but refined tannins and vibrant acidity keep it youthfully tense and impeccably balanced. Those who love power and might could be surprised by its almost ethereal quality, but lovers of finesse, depth and balance will swoon in delight.

Decanter (100)

I remember tasting Costanti’s 2019 Rosso di Montalcino in 2021 and thinking how Brunello-esque it was: the sturdy structure was almost uncharacteristic, yet it certainly boded well for the Brunello. Simply gloriously sculpted, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino is indeed statuesque and stately. While it doesn’t give everything up all at once, it is gracious in its presentation. From chestnut forest and sweet earth, to anise and orange extract, the aromas are visceral, and boundless depths of wild red berries suffuse the palate. It vibrates with scintillating acidity and long, tactile tannins which stretch out leisurely. I bet that Rosso has hit its stride now – if you have some, it’s what you'll want to drink while waiting for this captivatingly beautiful Brunello. I can't help but imagine what next year’s Riserva release has in store.

Kerin O'Keefe (98)

The 2020 Brunello from Costanti is an absolute stunner. All about fragrance, flavor and finesse, the elegant palate opens with captivating aromas of iris, violet, perfumed berry, dark spice, whiffs of forest floor and eucalyptus that on the palate transform into wild cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, grilled rosemary and truffle. Tightly knit, velvety tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity provides impeccable balance. A salty note lingers on the persistent finish.

Kerin O'Keefe (98)

The 2020 Brunello from Costanti is an absolute stunner. All about fragrance, flavor and finesse, the elegant palate opens with captivating aromas of iris, violet, perfumed berry, dark spice, whiffs of forest floor and eucalyptus that on the palate transform into wild cherry, raspberry compote, licorice, grilled rosemary and truffle. Tightly knit, velvety tannins provide seamless support while fresh acidity provides impeccable balance. A salty note lingers on the persistent finish.

Vinous (98)

Vivid deep red. Musky, deep, mineral-tinged aromas of red cherry, violet and crystallized orange peel. Sweet, lush and packed with red fruit, blood orange nectar and savory underbrush flavors; a step up in sheer size from Costanti’s 2013 Brunello. At once powerful and refined, this seriously saturates the palate with flavor, vibrant minerality and noble tannins. This is everything a great Brunello ought to be.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, forest floor, rose and wild mint shape the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and full of flavor, the linear, focused palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of refined tannins. Drink 2023 though 2035.

Wine Enthusiast (98)

Aromas of ripe dark-skinned fruit, forest floor, rose and wild mint shape the enticing nose. Elegantly structured and full of flavor, the linear, focused palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of refined tannins. Drink 2023 though 2035.

Wine Enthusiast (100)

This perfumed wine opens with layers of scents, including violet, woodland berries, new leather, forest floor and warm spices. Smooth and elegantly structured, the savory palate boasts juicy black-skinned berry, blood orange, licorice, tobacco and the barest hint of coffee bean alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. Bright acidity keeps it impeccably balanced. Drink 2026–2046.

Kerin O'Keefe (100)

2019 was a fantastic vintage in Montalcino and in particular for storied producer Conti Costanti. Andrea Costanti’s compelling 2019 Brunello Riserva is exquisite, starting with its heady scents of violet, rose, exotic dark spice, camphor and forest floor. Brimming with class and extreme elegance, the delicious palate mesmerizes with great depth and layers of flavor including Morello cherry, raspberry compote, orange zest, licorice, cake spice and crushed mint framed in tightly woven, refined tannins. Bright acidity provides impeccable balance and intensity. This is already tempting but the best is yet to come. The Costanti Riservas are only made in extraordinary years, and like the 2016 Riserva, the 2019 is made from the oldest estate vines. After fermenting and aging all the vineyards separately, the final cut was made in the cellar after three years of refinement in barrel. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

Vinous (92)

The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is very pretty, showing musky, bright cherry, dried roses and savory spice. There’s remarkable purity here, with soft textures giving way to tart wild berry fruit complemented by zesty acids. It’s dry and lightly structured throughout the finale with lasting inner florals and a twang of sour citrus. This is far from your typical Rosso. The Costanti Rosso is a barrel selection that matures for one year in a combination of 60% tonneaux and 40% new 35-40 hectoliter barrels.

Vinous (94)

The 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Vermiglio is a bombshell beauty, with a bright bouquet of dried strawberries, crushed rose petals, shaved cedar, cinnamon spice and sweet smoke. It’s deeply textural, almost fleshy in feel, yet kept in line by vibrant acidity, as masses of black cherry and raspberry fruit envelope the palate. This totally harmonious Rosso finishes with a classic tug of fine tannins, along with nuances of sour citrus, inner earth and lavender tones. It embodies, without a doubt, the term “Baby Brunello.” The Vermiglio hasn’t been produced since 2013, it’s a barrel selection of Rosso that Costanti matures for two years, instead of one, in cask. Only 4,000 bottles were produced.

The Conti San Bonifacio Maremma Docet 2010 hails from a renowned Tuscan estate in Maremma, Italy, renowned for its sublime elegance and flavour complexity. Sourced from a striking terroir, with granite and schist soil, the time-honoured traditions of Conti San Bonifacio have been staunchly upheld, creating a remarkable balance of opulence and finesse.

Crafted predominantly from Merlot grapes, with a modest touch of Syrah, this red wine exhibits a symphony of ripe cherry, smoky oak and balsamic notes, with subtle hints of licorice and dried herbs. The brilliant craftsmanship is evident in the seamless transition from deep, rich fruit to polished tannins, ending in an unforgettable, lengthy finish.

Exemplifying both power and grace, the Conti San Bonifacio Maremma Docet 2010 takes its place amongst the greatest reds produced in the region, cementing its legacy as a wine that not only tastes exceptional but tells a captivating story of its origin.

James Suckling (97)

This has an unwonted, intensely floral note of eucalyptus and tee tree oil, which makes it immediately recognizable against other 2015 Brunellos. Besides that, there are ripe rose stems and dried lavender. It has a racy core of boisterous berries that dive inwards and outwards of firm, structured tannins. The juxtaposition of steely resolve and intense florals are quite remarkable. Very classy. Drink from 2025.

Wine Advocate (95)

Softer for sure compared to the 2016 wines, and more abundant in personality, the Cortonesi 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Mannella is very expressive of the sunny, warm and luminous growing season. Rich fruit flavors of dark plum, black cherry and cassis are interwoven with spice, sweet tobacco and balsam herb. This wine is fermented in steel for 25 days and is then racked into oak for a long 48-months élevage. This wine is only made in the best years, and it draws its fruit from the estate's oldest vines, which are 37 years old. A mere 3,658 bottles were made. The tannins are a bit bitter and youthful, so give this wine more cellar time.

Wine Advocate (94)

The Cortonesi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella shows dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum. On a second wave of aromas, you encounter softer spice with toasted almond, tilled earth and grilled herb. This is a classic expression of the crisp but sunny 2016 vintage with an open and food-friendly personality. There is a playful touch of sweet cherry on the close. Fruit is sourced from the La Mannella zone, one of the coolest growing areas in the appellation at moderate 350 meters above sea level. Winemaking is traditional, using 30-hectoliter Slavonian oak for three years of slow aging, and this reinforces all those fun berry notes on display in the 25,000-bottle release.