Brunello di Montalcino 'Piaggione'

Salicutti
Italy
Tuscany
2018

Piaggione, covering 1.2ha, faces to the E/SE with fossil-rich calcareous soils at 420 to 450m of elevation. The vineyard is divided by a terrace into two different parcels that were planted in 1994 and 2007, respectively.  Fermentation in stainless steel w/ macerations lasting 20 to 40 days.  Aged in 1000L and 4000L casks for three years and a year in bottle.  Slighty darker in color and aroma than Sorgente, with earthy, diesel-y bass notes and wild oregano top notes. This is classical Sangiovese, with silky textures but just the right amount of grip and acidity to keep everything in check.  6450 bottles made.

96+ points
"Pouring a pure ruby hue, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino offers up a musky cologne of wildflowers, raspberry liqueur, baby powder, polished leather, and wet stone. It is medium-bodied, with good concentration that gives way to a soft stony texture, fine-grained tannins, and fresh acidity. Notes of blood orange, red cherry, boysenberry, and crushed rocks are followed by a delicate and pleasant saline note that lingers with a mouthwatering effect. This elegantly balanced wine is drinking well in its youth and will deliver over the coming 15-20 years."
Audrey Frick,
Jeb Dunnuck
March 2023
95+ points
""Made with certified organic fruit, the Salicutti 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione opens to a light ruby color with pretty color saturation and an elegantly lean appearance. This is exactly what you want to see in a vibrant, young Brunello. I would say that the aromas are textbook as well, in a very positive manner. The bouquet opens to fragrant rose and wild cherry. You get so much varietal character here with background tones of licorice, crushed stone and candied orange peel. There is some tannic firmness, but this will soften with time. This beautiful wine should fully embrace more cellar aging. The Piaggione site is characterized by rocky schistous galestro soils. This is a production of 6,450 bottles and 100 magnums.""
Monica Larner,
The Wine Advocate
March 2023
95 points
"An elegant red hallmarked by rose hip, strawberry, cherry and mineral flavors, with a bracing structure that sets the pace and drives the long, resonant finish. Overall, this is balanced, complex and long, with fine potential for aging."
Bruce Sanderson,
Wine Spectator
June 2023
95 points
""Aromas of raspberries, peach pits, hazelnuts, white truffles and some praline. It’s full-bodied with very fine, creamy tannins that caress the fruit. Beautifully integrated with fantastic drinkability and a long, silky finish. Drink or hold." "
James Suckling,
JamesSuckling.com
November 2022
93 points
""Like cracking open an ashen stone only to find a bevy of dried flowers, curry leaves, cloves and currants, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Piaggione makes itself known. This gracefully races across the palate with rip textural fruits and sweet spices, all energized by a cora of juicy acidity. Silky tannins frame the long and classically dry finale, as nuances of salted licorice and medicinal cherry echo on and on. There's such inner beauty and vibrancy here, yet patience will be required to enjoy the 2018 Piaggione to its full effect.""
Eric Guido,
Vinous
October 2022
17++ points
""Mid ruby with orange tinges. A reductive, stalky nose that needs aeration and time to open up, after which some classy fruit turns up. Lots of tannins that are a little dry, but not rough, and perfectly balance the fruit. Still a little austere, but with lots of promise.""
Walter Speller,
Jancis Robinson
December 2022

SKU/Code: 
DB3971-18
Product Line: 
Red
Varietal: 
Sangiovese
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic