Source: jamessuckling.com. Issue Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 (JS-100)

Seamless is a great way to describe this red wine with intense aromas of plums, cherries, walnut and sandalwood. Some lightly toasted oak, roses and lavender as well. Really aromatic. The palate is full and extremely polished with super fine tannins that go on for minutes and spread across your palate. A great wine, following the perfect, 100-point 2015. Better to start drinking this after 2023.

Source: End of November 2020, The Wine Advocate; Issue Date: 30 Nov 2020 (RP-98)

Upon meeting Carlo Ferrini for the first time some 15 years ago, I remember vividly when he described himself as a Sangiovesista, or an adherent of the school of Sangiovese. Many years later, and perhaps to cement that self-appointed moniker, the wine consultant has now settled in Montalcino, or the ultimate holy ground to Sangiovese. Ferrini has embarked on his Giodo estate (with beautiful vineyards and a newly inaugurated winery built precisely according to his technical specifications and wishes), creating his own temple to the mighty Tuscan grape. As a consultant, Ferrini has endured many stylistic transformations over the years, but the personality embraced in his 2016 Brunello di Montalcino celebrates varietal purity, balance and elegance, and I write those words free of hyperbole. Delicate forest berry fruits open to spice, forest floor and balsam herb. The wine presents a pretty wave of freshness, followed by firm tannins and enough fruity texture to smooth over the palate. This is a career-defining wine for this proud Sangiovesista. Production is 10,000 bottles.

Source: Winemaker

FEATURES

Area of production: Small, hilly area in the comune of Montalcino. The grape growers belong to the Cantina di Montalcino, near Siena

Grapes: Sangiovese 100%

Maceration on the skins takes place during fermentation and lasts approximately 15-20 days, together with frequent, gentle pumping over. Temperature control (30-32C) during fermentation encourages good colour, the structure characteristic of Sangiovese and supple tannins.

The wine remains in Slovenian oak casks for at least two years before bottling.

TASTING NOTES

Clear, purple-red in colour, with good depth and 'legs' indicating a certain structure. Intensely perfumed on the nose, with fruit aromas including blackberries, blackcurrants and cherries a dominant theme. In the mouth, the wine is full bodied, with tremendous depth and richness, attractive fruit and well-balanced acidity.