Vinous (94.5)

Good full ruby. Brooding aromas of cassis, menthol, chocolate and minerals. Dense and juicy but slightly hard at present, with a floral nuance and nicely integrated acidity lending precision to the red fruit and violet flavors. The slightly tough tannins and the dumbed down fruit leave an impression of medicinal austerity on the long mouthcoating finish. Needs time.

An extraordinary accomplishment from the Tuscan vineyards of Caparzo, the Brunello di Montalcino La Casa 2016 is an expertly-made wine that exudes passion, quality, and traditional craftsmanship. Sourced from the sun-drenched hills of Montalcino, this exquisite vintage draws deeply from the rich terroir layered with mineral-rich clay and Galestro soils.

Hand-harvested Sangiovese grapes mature on long-established vines, developing a complex flourish of flavours under the mindful gaze of esteemed winemaker Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini. The wine ferments in stainless steel vats to preserve its intense berry character, followed by a maturation process in French oak barrels - a refined touch that imparts a velvety texture and delicate spicy notes.

The result is the Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa 2016, an expressive wine brimming with red fruits, balanced by earthy undertones and a sturdy yet fine-grained tannin backbone. The elegant finish serves as the final note in this harmonious symphony of flavours, promising an unrivaled enological experience.

Emanating from the illustrious region of Tuscany, the Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa 2019 is a marvel amongst its contemporaries. This captivating red wine is crafted lovingly at the hands of Caparzo, a historic estate renowned for its commitment to traditional winemaking practices. The unique microclimate and stony slopes of Montalcino give birth to Sangiovese vines capable of producing this rich, intense and complex Brunello.

The bold character of Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino La Casa 2019 exudes ripe red fruit notes, ensnared in a delicate weave of tobacco and spice, reinforced by a well-balanced, persistent structure. Aged for two years in a combination of Slavonian oak barrels and French oak barriques, its tannic backbone promises great potential for ageing. This wine doesn’t just represent a mere sip, it encompasses a voyage into the vivid heartlands of Italian viticulture.

Vinous (93)

Cedar shavings, mentholated herbs, graphite, dried roses and cherries form a delicately pretty bouquet as the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva blossoms in the glass. Within, I’m finding masses of wild berries contrasted by a bump of sour citrus, and silky textures that soothe as hints of tobacco amass toward the close. This leaves the palate classically dry yet keeps the mouth watering, as residual acids and minerals mingle through the long, licorice-tinged finale.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is dark and balsamic in nature, with depths of red and black fruit offset by hints of clove. It’s surprisingly soft-textured and almost juicy on the palate, showing mineral-inflected cherries and savory spice. While structured, its tannins are more rounded than many 2017s, along with a bump of residual acidity that creates an almost-classic feel. That said, this gentle giant is geared more toward medium-term cellaring.

Wine Advocate (94+)

Although this wine does not follow the logic of the MGA (or official map of vineyard crus) for Barolo, fruit is sourced exclusively from the Gabutti vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. The 2013 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris is a magically ethereal, light and delicate expression that delivers a silky embroidery of wild raspberry, rose, dried violet and crushed stone aromas. The wine shows an incredibly fine and nuanced texture that lacks any overt sense of power or muscle but that instead imparts impressive length, depth and general dimension. The wine shows the richness of Serralunga d'Alba but remains light-footed and delicately fleeting all the while.

Vinous ()

The 2014 Barolo Barolo Rupestris is a very pretty, fragrant wine. In this vintage, the Rupestris is a bit more ethereal than it usually is, and yet there is a lovely underpinning of structure that gives the wine its shape. Beautifully perfumed and gracious, the 2014 Rupestris opens with enticing scents of sweet tobacco, mint, dried herbs, orange peel, dried cherry, cedar and rose petal. The 2014 should drink well with minimal cellaring, but I expect it will also age gracefully while retaining its somewhat delicate feel.

Vinous ()

The 2014 Barolo Barolo Rupestris is a very pretty, fragrant wine. In this vintage, the Rupestris is a bit more ethereal than it usually is, and yet there is a lovely underpinning of structure that gives the wine its shape. Beautifully perfumed and gracious, the 2014 Rupestris opens with enticing scents of sweet tobacco, mint, dried herbs, orange peel, dried cherry, cedar and rose petal. The 2014 should drink well with minimal cellaring, but I expect it will also age gracefully while retaining its somewhat delicate feel.