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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Perched on a hilltop overlooking northwest Montalcino, Castello Romitorio has built a solid reputation over the last three decades for its exquisite, age worthy Brunello di Montalcino wines, producing a range of highly rated selections "able to deliver the most classic and profound expressions of Brunello from nearly every vintage," according to Vinous critic Eric Guido and certain to thrill Brunello fans and collectors at best on the market pricing.
Surrounded by dense, verdant forests with a history dating back to Roman times, the abandoned, partly renovated Castello Romitorio was purchased in 1984 by esteemed Italian artist Sandro Chia, who set about completing the manor house renovations and overhauling its vineyards with the goal of reestablishing its rich winemaking legacy. Located at altitudes ranging from 220 to 500 meters, the northwest-facing vineyards are cooler than most of Montalcino, divided into smaller one to two hectare parcels and grown in a patchwork of varied soils including galestro, clay and albarese that are vinified separately before blending, the diversity contributing balance and depth. Crafted by Sandro's son and winemaker Filippo Chia, the fresh and perfumed 94 pt. 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is a harmonious expression of terroir and vintage boasting bright fruit and vibrant acidity, described as "a total success" by Eric Guido of Vinous offering "so much value." Sourced from Romitorio's oldest plots planted in 1987 with local Sangiovese clones sourced from Biondi-Santi and Soldera, the powerful and lush 98 pt. 2015 Riserva has been crafted only 9 times in the last 40 vintages, described as "full-bodied with juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish" by James Suckling while summed up simply as "flat out stunning" by Eric Guido. Situated on the lowest slopes of Romitorio directly in front of the Montosoli hill and considered one of the best areas of Montalcino, the Filo di Seta vineyard is named for a nearby creek (Filo de Seta translating as "thread of silk"), the rich and dense 95 pt. 2017 Filo de Seta called "one of the top wines" of the vintage by Eric Guido who describes it as "mixing the most delicate and vivid fruit with the body of a well-muscled dancer."
Boasting distinctive labels featuring Sandro's original paintings, each of these Castello Romitorio selections reflects the combined dedication and artistic perfection of Sandro and his son Filippo, all elegantly transparent and impeccably balanced Brunello wines to make room for in the cellar and enjoy over the next decade or more. |
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This stunning red exudes bright cherry, blackberry, plum, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors, all knit together almost seamlessly, with vibrant acidity and refined tannins. Shows a combination of power and grace, with a long fruit and savory aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2047. 620 cases made, 150 cases imported.
98 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jun 2021)
Showing richness, dark fruit, bold cherry and blackberry, the Castello Romitorio 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (with exactly 7,456 bottles made) embraces the exuberant character of the vintage, its warmth and its sunshine. If you seek a time capsule of 2015, I suggest that you put this bottle somewhere safe. The tannins are polished and chiseled, and at its core the wine is overflowing with blackberry preserves, cherry confit and plum.
96 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Nov 2020)
A tight, focused red with blackberry, black-cherry and walnut aromas and flavors. Full-bodied with juicy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Creamy and focused. This is still very structured and powerful. Give it two or three years to open.
96 points, James Suckling (Nov 2020)
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