Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona’s Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vigna di Pianrosso Riserva Santa Caterina d’Oro 2020 is a single-vineyard, 100% Sangiovese Riserva from the Pianrosso site in Castelnuovo dell’Abate. The estate describes Pianrosso as a high, marl-soil vineyard (240–360 meters) and notes fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel and glass concrete, followed by extended aging in oak and further bottle refinement. As a Riserva, it is made only in the best vintages.
Critical reception for the 2020 is notably strong, led by an excellent 96-point review from Monica Larner at Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Larner calls it “generous in aromatic delivery, offering dark fruit nuances and layered complexity,” and frames the style as a clear expression of the year: “That restraint is a defining feature of the 2020 growing season, which favored balance and clarity over muscle.” She adds that “the wine is powerful, to be sure,” but emphasizes “subtle definition and measured mouthfeel” as the route to Sangiovese’s elegance. Larner reports the wine at 15% alcohol, with production of 18,600 bottles plus larger formats.
James Suckling rates it 95 points and focuses on the wine’s savory-scented lift, citing “crazy aromas of white truffles, cherries, plums and lots of cedar.” He finds it “full-bodied with attractive fruit and fresh acidity,” finishing “crunchy” with “complex wood, forest and berry flavors,” and concludes: “Drink or hold.”
Kerin O’Keefe, also at 95 points, highlights a more classical aromatic profile—“plum, violet, pipe tobacco and camphor”—and a “full-bodied and enveloping” palate with “prune, cherry extract, licorice and blood orange,” supported by “velvety tannins” and a warm alcohol close.
Taken together, the 2020 Pianrosso Riserva reads as a structured, complete Brunello: ripe but measured, aromatic, and built for both near-term enjoyment and cellaring.
