Castiglion del Bosco - Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG - Millecento 1100 - 2016

Beautiful 97/100 points Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG from the five star vintage 2016

Ruby red wine with lively sparkles. In the nose intense aromas of violets, cedar, spices, graphite and red ripe fruit. In the mouth the wine is elegant, full, complex, pleasantly fresh acids that keep the wine young and lively, with a very long lasting finish with velvety tannins.

The grapes of this Brunello Riserva come from the Millecento vineyard, planted in 1999. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 400 meters, with a south, south-west exposure. The vineyard is planted with 5,600 vines per hectare. The soil type is mainly chalky clay. The Riserva is made exclusively in the very best harvest years. The first harvest that came on the market was the 2010.

The grapes are harvested by hand in October after careful selection. Fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in large steel vats for a period of 15 to 20 days. The wine is matured for a period of 36 months in large French oak barrels of 30 and 50 HL. The wine then matures for another 12 months in unglazed concrete vats. After this, the wine is bottled and refines in the bottle for at least 8 to 12 months in the cellars of the estate.

About Castiglione del Bosco:
The history of Castiglion del Bosco dates back to 1100 AD, amidst armed struggles of great Sienese families, who settled here. Agriculture has always been a mainstay, as evidenced by the stables, olive groves, farmland and vineyards. In more recent history, Castiglion del Bosco became a founding member of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium in 1967. Castiglion del Bosco began a new chapter in 2003, when it was transformed by Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo to its current glory. Castiglion del Bosco has gained worldwide recognition for its excellent wines. In 2022, Castiglion del Bosco will begin a new chapter in its history with the transfer to an international family office, which will ensure continuity and the development of the entire estate.

97/100 points James Suckling

Blueberries and cherries with hints of cedar and spice, as well as plenty of mixed dried flowers, including violets. Some graphite and stone, too. Medium-to full-bodied with racy tannins and a long, long finish. It's linear and complete, with lovely elegance and structure. Try after 2024.

94/100 points Parker

The Castiglion del Bosco 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Millecento 1100 is the aspirational wine in this portfolio. It aims high and showcases the carefully manicured approach of the winemaking team in both the vineyard and the winery. This is a grand vintage with firm structure, lots of fruit brightness, depth and freshness. You should expect balanced intensity at this price point, and you get it. My only concern, again, is the high 15% alcohol, which is evidently part of a wider trend that now characterizes this appellation.