The 2016 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso Riserva, made from Sangiovese Grosso, hails from the esteemed Tuscany region of Italy. This red wine, with a notable alcohol content of 15%, is sealed with a cork and showcases the producer's dedication to quality and tradition.
From the Pianrosso vineyard in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, this wine is significantly influenced by the southern Montalcino terroir. Decanter describes it as "a substantial, hefty wine with lots of extract and a profusion of fleshy red plum and prune," noting its "suave tannins" and "sandy earthiness" that adds complexity. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak barrels, ranging from 7.5 to 30 hectoliters in size.
James Suckling offers high praise, awarding it a near-perfect score of 99 and highlighting its "glorious aromas of flowers, nutmeg, dark berries, earth, and black cherries." He commends its "ultra-fine tannins that are long and extremely polished," suggesting it will evolve beautifully with a few more years of aging, recommending to try it after 2024.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also lauds the wine, giving it an impressive 97+ points. Reviewer Monica Larner emphasizes its "incredible level of Sangiovese purity and sharpness," noting elegant aromas that span "spice, ferrous earth, balsam herb, and red rose potpourri." She describes its texture as "silky" with "high alcohol, polished tannins," and a "hint of sweet cherry mixed with menthol freshness" on the finish.
Vinous praises its balance of power and grace, with Eric Guido describing it as "dark yet wonderfully perfumed," featuring a bouquet of "dried strawberries and roses" and a palate that is both dense and vibrant. He highlights its "bright acidity" and "mix of saline-minerals and grippy tannins," foreseeing a long aging potential.
Wine Spectator echoes these sentiments, awarding it 98 points and noting its "fluid and concentrated" nature with aromas and flavors of "cherry, black currant, violet, and mineral." The review underscores its "beautifully integrated acidity and tannins" and a "superlong finish," recommending it be enjoyed best from 2024 through 2042.
Wine Enthusiast’s Kerin O’Keefe gives it 95 points, highlighting its "underbrush, scorched earth, camphor and pipe tobacco aromas," and a palate featuring "dried cherry, licorice, and marinated prune." She notes the warmth of its alcohol and suggests an optimal drinking window from 2026 to 2031.
Overall, the 2016 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso Riserva is celebrated for its complexity, depth, and aging potential, receiving high marks across the board from various reviewers.