Restrained, vibrant and fruity riserva with red cherries and raspberries, potpourri and even incense. Medium- to full-bodied with leafy flavor, velvety and ripe tannins yet chewy acidity and a chalky finish. Good blood-orange aftertaste. Better in two or three years but already so delicious.
96 points, James Suckling (Dec 2024)
In the bottle with the black label, the Caparzo 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva makes a terrific first impression thanks to the intensity of its dark fruit aromas and its well-integrated spice. This is a full-bodied wine with deep layers of richness and velvety tannins. There is a hint of concentrated fruit sourness (and sweetness too, from the grape skins) that will subside as this 20,000-bottle release takes on more age in the cellar.
94 points, Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Nov 2024)
The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens with a mentholated freshness, blending crushed rocks and mint with hints of tobacco, flowery underbrush and dried black cherries. Silken and serene, this displays notable weight and concentration while maintaining freshness. Waves of texturally ripe wild berry fruits. and fine-grained tannins cake the senses. The 2019 finishes with dramatic length and structure, leaving a tinge of licorice to linger on.
94 points, Eric Guido, Vinous (Nov 2024)
This is lively, displaying fresh cherry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, earth and menthol flavors. Ripe, dense and lifted by formidable tannins. All of the components seem to be in the right place as this finds its equilibrium on the lingering finish. Best from 2027 through 2043. 1,250 cases made, 200 cases imported.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Mar 2025)
Dark berry compote on the nose, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva offers notes of wild fresh herbs, clove, and a touch of balsamic. The palate shows herbal freshness and a taut acidity, slightly rustic crunchy tannins, and a medium-long savory finish. No need to wait as this wine is drinking with pleasurable forwardness.
94 points, Vanessa Conlin, Wine Independent (Dec 2024)
Made since 1980, Caparzo’s Riserva is selected at harvest by consulting oenologist team, Paolo and Jacopo Vagaggini. It ages primarily in large Slavonian oak casks with a short passage in French oak tonneaux of 750 litres. Still youthfully restrained, the nose flirts with cedar, leather and heather, then the palate changes gear with its overtly powerful drive of substantial yet sophisticated chalky tannins and brisk acidity. By comparison, subtle flavours of wet stone and polished red cherry seem polite and tame for the time being. This will need time to develop into its full expression.
94 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter (Nov 2024)
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