Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
Brunello di Montalcino 2016
$69/bottle
The Bianchini family was gifted its Brunello estate in 1985 by Countess Elda Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, who had no heirs!
Brother-and-sister team Paolo and Lucia Bianchini continue to make excellent Brunellos in the tradition of their father, Giuseppe, who died in 2004.
Ciacci Piccolomini is one of the most sought-after producers in all of Italy. This ancient estate has 35 hectares of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone, including the ‘Pianrosso’ vineyard (meaning ‘red field,’ a reference to the iron rich soils) and the ‘Fonte’ vineyard.
The estate is a member of the EU ‘Lotta Integrata’ movement, which promotes reduced use of chemicals and organic viticulture. At Ciacci, fertilization is organic, and pruning and harvest are done by hand.
The aromas are intense, fruit-forward, spicy and floral with hints of red berry fruits enriched by delicate notes of baking spices. Warm, soft, and very well balanced on the palate; well-structured with soft tannins and long aftertaste.
High praise from the press and will be a great contender to a southern France/Provence icon from Bandol... up next!