Caparzo's Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is only produced in the finest vintages and from grapes selected personally by winemaker Massimo Bracalente. The grapes are in part from vineyards located in the northern part of the Montalcino appellation, at an elevation of 720 feet, and in part from vineyards south of Montalcino, at an elevation of 885 feet. In both cases the vineyards are on sandy-stony, south-southeast facing Pliocene terrains.

The first Caparzo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG was produced in 1980. The wine has the capacity to age for up to 40 years.


The 2016 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, made from the Sangiovese Grosso varietal, is a red wine hailing from Tuscany, Italy. This vintage is noted for its excellent structure and aging potential, encapsulated in a 14.0% alcohol content and sealed with a traditional cork closure.

Decanter awarded the wine 95 points, highlighting its "seamlessly constructed" nature. The review mentions that the Riserva combines fruit from vineyards in both the northern and southern parts of Montalcino, providing a balance of flavors. "Under a sheen of polished wood, red and black berries, forest undergrowth and mint emerge," notes Decanter. The review also points out that the wine is enjoyable now but will improve with additional aging.

James Suckling gave this wine an impressive 96 points, describing it as "beautiful, soft and plush, showing finesse and subtlety." He praises the wine's full-bodied texture and vivid dark fruit flavors, complemented by undertones of earth and mushroom. Suckling remarks, “So delicious now, but this will age wonderfully.”

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided an even higher score of 97 points, emphasizing the wine's "gorgeous appearance with medium concentration highlighted by shiny hues of garnet and dark ruby." The review describes a robust textural fiber and compact dark fruit, suggesting long-term aging potential due to the young tannins and fresh acidity. The review also notes flavors of dried cherry, blue flower, iron ore, and candied orange peel.

Wine Enthusiast scored the wine at 92 points, noting aromas of blue flowers, perfumed berries, and roasted coffee bean. The palate is described as offering "fleshy black cherry, star anise and espresso alongside velvety, fine-grained tannins."

Wine Spectator, which also awarded 95 points, praised the wine for its "beautifully defined strawberry, cherry, rose, mint, and mineral flavors embedded in a sleek, dense structure." The review advises that the wine is best enjoyed from 2025 through 2045.

Vinous gave the wine 93 points, describing a bouquet of "cedar shavings, mentholated herbs, graphite, dried roses, and cherries." The review highlights the wine's "delicately pretty bouquet" and its ability to leave the palate "classically dry yet keeps the mouth watering."

Overall, the 2016 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is highly regarded across multiple reviews for its elegant structure, complex flavors, and considerable aging potential.