2016 La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino (750ml)

Sangiovese from Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Described by critic James Suckling as "one of the greatest vintages ever," the 2016 vintage in Brunello di Montalcino is the stuff of legends with producers across the region producing expressive, structured and seamless wines. Considered nearly perfect by critics across the board, rarely does Sangiovese Grosso shine so brightly and universally than it does in 2016, yielding Brunello wines that Vinous critic Eric Guido likens to "a well-muscled black stallion in its prime." Gorgeous in their youth with incredible aromatics, these vineyard-driven 2016 Brunelli highlight the purity of the fruit layered over a long-lived tannic framework, now offered at exceptional value pricing while they last.

In addition to the critics, winemakers across Brunello also expressed their enthusiasm for the exceptional vintage. Gigliola Gianetti of Le Potazzine described 2016 as "an ideal year for Sangiovese" with optimal weather yielding gorgeous fruit. "It is a year where lots of people made great wines," winemaker Lorenzo Sassetti of Livio Sassetti told James Suckling, who rated his 2016 Brunello as 100pt perfection. Summing it up in a single word, Roberto Guerrini, the wizard winemaker of the small Fuligni estate, told the Wine Enthusiast that the quality of the 2016 vintage left him "speechless." A spectacular vintage doesn't translate into uniformity however, with each of these selections reflecting their unique terroir of varied elevations, microclimates and aspects. What these 2016 Brunello do all share is a lush density of fresh fruit, focused savory acidity and vibrant tannic structure, ready to enjoy now but structured for decades of aging.

In a range of prices and all highly rated, these 2016 Brunello di Montalcino are now offered at bargain pricing with limited availability, requiring quick action. In his review of the 2016 Brunello vintage, the Wine Spectator's Bruce Sanderson offered solid advice: stock up on as many of these legendary 2016 Brunello di Montalcino wines "as you can possibly afford," and enjoy their evolution for years to come.

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Enticing aromas of menthol, ripe dark-skinned fruit, new leather and sandalwood lead the way. Boasting a heady combination of power and finesse, the full-bodied palate doles out ripe black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice and tobacco framed in firm, velvety tannins. Fresh acidity keeps the richness in check. Drink 2024–2036.

95 points, Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast (May 2021)

The La Fiorita 2016 Brunello di Montalcino unfolds to dark fruit, cherry, tobacco and sweet spice. This wine shows very nicely, thanks to the balance of its fruit, and is characterized by a delicate sweet note that recalls cassis and wild raspberry. The wine is open and accessible from the start, and that bodes well for those who don't care to wait and age their Brunello too long. Indeed, I could see this wine matched up nicely to a wood-oven flatbread with shaved truffles layered generously on top. This wine draws its fruit from two sites, Poggio al Sole and Pian Bossolino, and ages in Slavonian oak casks for 24 months. Production is 21,500 bottles.

94+ points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Nov 2020)

This is a full-bodied, juicy red with ripe plums, dried cherries, cedar and a touch of milk chocolate. Dried roses and leather. Silky tannins and a long, focused finish. Some tile undertones. Drink after 2022.

94 points, James Suckling (Nov 2020)

Dark fruit flavors of plum and blackberry highlight this angular red, shaded by earth, tobacco and underbrush notes. Leans toward a tar element as it winds down, ending with assertive, yet nervous tannins. Best from 2024 through 2040. 2,000 cases made, 750 cases imported.

93 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Jul 2021)

Alcohol By Volume: 15.0%

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$69.98

20 bottles in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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