Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
About Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona traces its origins back to the 17th century when it was founded by the Bishop of Montalcino. The winery passed into the hands of Giussepe Chiachini, a larger-than-life character who developed the estate's classical peasant-like approach to winemaking. Striving for a true expression of Montalcino's exceptional and varied terroirs, the estate's wines are well made without being over made and offer purity and structure.
Ciacci Piccolomini is consistently selected by Wine Spectator as the “Cream of the Crop” and a “Leader of the Pack“ in Brunello di Montalcino. They continually “set the standard“ for producers in this historic wine region, and their latest offerings are an “exciting range of new releases“ in the eyes of Wine Advocate's Monica Larner.
Having been gifted the Ciacci Estate upon the passing of the heirless Countess Elda Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona in 1985, the Bianchini family (who were the estate managers at the time) have made a name for themselves by producing elegant, age-worthy Brunellos from their “very special microclimate” (Wine Advocate) on the Castelnuovo dell'Abate hill.
Viniculture
The Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso comes from a single vineyard of about 11.7 hectares planted with some of the oldest vines of the estate, which sit between 240 and 360 meters above sea level. Grapes for the Riserva are also selected from this vineyard.
-
Wine Spectator (96)
Exuding cherry, strawberry, floral and tobacco aromas and flavors, this effusive, fruity style is bright and elegant, with terrific harmony and a long, mouthwatering finish that leaves a mineral impression. Very compelling. Best from 2020 through 2036.Inc. VAT£341.09 -
Wine Advocate (92+)
Like the other wines I tasted from Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona this year, I am surprised by the soft ripeness achieved in the 2014 Brunello di Montalcino. This was a cool and soggy vintage so those dark and sweet fruit flavors are counterintuitive. However, they elevate the wine to a higher intensity threshold and a more profound flavor profile. The wine offers enough crisp acidity and tannic firmness to hold it tightly together at this young stage in its lifespan. Some 60,000 bottles were released.Inc. VAT£385.24 -
James Suckling (98)
Extremely perfumed and decadent with dried flowers and spices and fresh mushrooms. Cherries,too. Full body. Solid core of fruit, yet ever so fine tannins. Goes on for minutes. Such beautifully crafted tannins. Drink after 2021.Inc. VAT£357.64 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
Red-berry, wild-rose, crushed mint and dark-spice aromas are front and center on this fragrant red. The full-bodied palate is concentrated but also boasts finesse, offering layers of raspberry jam, smooth licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of enveloping, velvety tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol but the succulent fruit stands up to it. Drink 2024–2036.Inc. VAT£329.09 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
This delicious, bold red offers inviting aromas of fragrant blue flowers, spiced plum, forest floor and pipe tobacco. Full and enveloping in feel, it delivers a great depth of juicy black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and baking spice flavors framed in velvety tannins. Drink 2025–2032.Inc. VAT£301.24 -
Kerin O'Keefe (97)
Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish.Inc. VAT£230.44 -
Kerin O'Keefe (98)
The 2019 straight Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a beauty, starting with its heady scents of red berry, dog rose, spice and Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the smooth palate delivers juicy red cherry, cracked peppercorn and licorice alongside tightly-woven, refined tannins. Juicy acidity keeps it balanced and fresh.Inc. VAT£341.09 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Wild berry, fragrant purple flower and crushed herb aromas mingle with whiffs of tilled earth and new leather in this dazzling red. The stunning, savory palate boasts remarkable finesse combined with an ageworthy structure, offering succulent black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and tobacco alongside taut, refined tannins. It's impeccably balanced by bright acidity. It's already tempting, but hold for even more complexity.Inc. VAT£365.09 -
James Suckling (100)
Lots of ripe and rich fruit with a decadent undertone of meat and spice that turns to pure fruit and licorice. Medium to full body, refined tannins and a fresh and bright finish. All about harmony. Better after 2021.Inc. VAT£556.84 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Aromas of red berry, camphor and tobacco meld with rose in this fragrant, full-bodied red. The smooth palate is concentrated yet elegant, featuring raspberry jam, cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and coffee bean alongside a backbone of firm, velvety tannins.Inc. VAT£513.89 -
Kerin O'Keefe (98)
Camphor, forest floor, wild berry and dark spice aromas lead the way. Full-bodied and supremely elegant, the delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly woven, velvety tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lifted.Inc. VAT£343.24 -
Kerin O'Keefe (100)
Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It’s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning.Inc. VAT£473.09 -
James Suckling (100)
The opulence of fruit and complexity of earth, meat, mushroom and cedar is breathtaking. It’s full-bodied, deep and powerful with so much intensity and depth. Chewy and layered, it goes on for minutes. Give it even more time. Try after 2023.Inc. VAT£788.69 -
James Suckling (99)
Glorious aromas of flowers, nutmeg, dark berries, earth and black cherries follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins that are long and extremely polished. They go on for minutes. Reserved and shy still, due to its excellence. Give this four or five years to come around. Try after 2024.Inc. VAT£731.09 -
Vinous (91)
A pretty mix of crushed cherries, roses and sweet spice wafts up from the 2020 Rosso di Montalcino. This is a pure and lifted expression with pleasantly ripe red fruits that mix with sour citrus and savory herbal tones to create lovely contrasts. Its minerality comes forward through the licorice-tinged finale, along with a gentle grip of fine tannins that frame the experience quite nicely. Ciacci did a fantastic job with their 2020 Rosso.Inc. VAT£294.29 -
Inc. VAT£295.49
-
Vinous (92)
Dark wood tones, underbrush and crushed black cherries can all be found as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte grumbles up from the glass. It’s silky, nearly creamy on the palate, with polished red and black fruits that give way to exotic spice in a display of total elegance. While structured, its tannins are sweet and round, providing youthful grip without hindering the resonance of wild berries and licorice that lingers on and on. This is an impressive showing for the 2019 Rossofonte, but some cellaring will be required before it comes fully into focus.Inc. VAT£193.24
-
Wine Spectator (96)
Exuding cherry, strawberry, floral and tobacco aromas and flavors, this effusive, fruity style is bright and elegant, with terrific harmony and a long, mouthwatering finish that leaves a mineral impression. Very compelling. Best from 2020 through 2036.In Bond£265.00 -
Wine Advocate (92+)
Like the other wines I tasted from Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona this year, I am surprised by the soft ripeness achieved in the 2014 Brunello di Montalcino. This was a cool and soggy vintage so those dark and sweet fruit flavors are counterintuitive. However, they elevate the wine to a higher intensity threshold and a more profound flavor profile. The wine offers enough crisp acidity and tannic firmness to hold it tightly together at this young stage in its lifespan. Some 60,000 bottles were released.In Bond£305.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Extremely perfumed and decadent with dried flowers and spices and fresh mushrooms. Cherries,too. Full body. Solid core of fruit, yet ever so fine tannins. Goes on for minutes. Such beautifully crafted tannins. Drink after 2021.In Bond£282.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
Red-berry, wild-rose, crushed mint and dark-spice aromas are front and center on this fragrant red. The full-bodied palate is concentrated but also boasts finesse, offering layers of raspberry jam, smooth licorice and tobacco alongside a backbone of enveloping, velvety tannins. You'll also detect the warmth of alcohol but the succulent fruit stands up to it. Drink 2024–2036.In Bond£255.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
This delicious, bold red offers inviting aromas of fragrant blue flowers, spiced plum, forest floor and pipe tobacco. Full and enveloping in feel, it delivers a great depth of juicy black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and baking spice flavors framed in velvety tannins. Drink 2025–2032.In Bond£235.00 -
Kerin O'Keefe (97)
Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish.In Bond£176.00 -
Kerin O'Keefe (98)
The 2019 straight Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a beauty, starting with its heady scents of red berry, dog rose, spice and Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the smooth palate delivers juicy red cherry, cracked peppercorn and licorice alongside tightly-woven, refined tannins. Juicy acidity keeps it balanced and fresh.In Bond£265.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Wild berry, fragrant purple flower and crushed herb aromas mingle with whiffs of tilled earth and new leather in this dazzling red. The stunning, savory palate boasts remarkable finesse combined with an ageworthy structure, offering succulent black cherry, raspberry compote, licorice and tobacco alongside taut, refined tannins. It's impeccably balanced by bright acidity. It's already tempting, but hold for even more complexity.In Bond£285.00 -
James Suckling (100)
Lots of ripe and rich fruit with a decadent undertone of meat and spice that turns to pure fruit and licorice. Medium to full body, refined tannins and a fresh and bright finish. All about harmony. Better after 2021.In Bond£448.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (98)
Aromas of red berry, camphor and tobacco meld with rose in this fragrant, full-bodied red. The smooth palate is concentrated yet elegant, featuring raspberry jam, cherry marinated in spirits, licorice and coffee bean alongside a backbone of firm, velvety tannins.In Bond£409.00 -
Kerin O'Keefe (98)
Camphor, forest floor, wild berry and dark spice aromas lead the way. Full-bodied and supremely elegant, the delicious palate delivers ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly woven, velvety tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced and lifted.In Bond£270.00 -
Kerin O'Keefe (100)
Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It’s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning.In Bond£375.00 -
James Suckling (100)
The opulence of fruit and complexity of earth, meat, mushroom and cedar is breathtaking. It’s full-bodied, deep and powerful with so much intensity and depth. Chewy and layered, it goes on for minutes. Give it even more time. Try after 2023.In Bond£638.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Glorious aromas of flowers, nutmeg, dark berries, earth and black cherries follow through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins that are long and extremely polished. They go on for minutes. Reserved and shy still, due to its excellence. Give this four or five years to come around. Try after 2024.In Bond£590.00 -
Vinous (91)
A pretty mix of crushed cherries, roses and sweet spice wafts up from the 2020 Rosso di Montalcino. This is a pure and lifted expression with pleasantly ripe red fruits that mix with sour citrus and savory herbal tones to create lovely contrasts. Its minerality comes forward through the licorice-tinged finale, along with a gentle grip of fine tannins that frame the experience quite nicely. Ciacci did a fantastic job with their 2020 Rosso.In Bond£226.00 -
In Bond£227.00
-
Vinous (92)
Dark wood tones, underbrush and crushed black cherries can all be found as the 2019 Rosso di Montalcino Rossofonte grumbles up from the glass. It’s silky, nearly creamy on the palate, with polished red and black fruits that give way to exotic spice in a display of total elegance. While structured, its tannins are sweet and round, providing youthful grip without hindering the resonance of wild berries and licorice that lingers on and on. This is an impressive showing for the 2019 Rossofonte, but some cellaring will be required before it comes fully into focus.In Bond£145.00