Castel Giocondo 2016 Brunello Frescobaldi

Introducing CastelGiocondo 2016 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, a wine that truly captures the essence of Montalcino's unique terroir. The combination of galestro, clay, and Pleocene sands creates infinite nuances in this multi-faceted wine, which evolves over time and leaves a lasting impression. The 2016 vintage was challenging but ultimately resulted in some of the best grapes ever, thanks to a mild winter and warm summer with beneficial showers. These carefully selected and hand-picked Sangiovese grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in wood containers, resulting in a wine with a vibrant ruby-red color, elegant bouquet, and dense yet elegant tannic texture. The finish is long and persistent, with sweet spices and balsamic notes. Don't miss out on this award-winning wine, with scores of 95 points from James Suckling and Falstaff, 93 points from Wine Advocate and Vinous, and an impressive 97+ points from Luca Gardini. Experience the beauty of Montalcino with CastelGiocondo 2016 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.

Alcohol: 14.5%

97 POINTS - "A great year for Brunello and this is like a breath of fresh air, transporting you to Tuscany. Emphasis on dried herbs, leather, campfire smoke with traces of sweet cherry, butterscotch and coffee bean. Love the soft and gentle waves of flavour that gather power through the palate; tannins are grippy and mouthwatering, and this is pretty irresistible. One of the original producers of Brunello in the 1800s, with vineyards planted between 250-400 metres above sea level, still setting the pace. Alcohol 14.5%. Drink: 2022-2036." - Jane Anson

97 POINTS - "Despite the difficulties of the vintage 2016 is hailed as an excellent year in Brunello. This has coffee, dried herbs, cherry, dark chocolate and balsamic notes on the nose. Round and supple on the palate, the fruit is chewy and mouthwatering filling the palate making you suck in your cheeks. Tannins gently grip and hold through to the long finish. Such brightness with acidity and depth. A great food wine and an excellent time to drink although it will age well. Elegant, well structured and moreish. Drinking Window: 2021-2035." - Georgina Hindle

97 POINTS - "Great version of Brunello from a winery of historical importance. On the nose, crunchy fruit, blackberry and plum jam. A touch of orange peel in the closing. In the palate, perception of iodized tannins. A final fruity taste returning with an excellent persistence." - Luca Gardini

95 POINTS - "Black-cherry and blackberry aromas with minerals and fresh flowers, following through to a full body with firm, silky tannins that are polished and intense. Lovely finesse and length. Drink after 2023." - James Suckling

93 POINTS - "The Frescobaldi 2016 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo shows dark fruit, plum and spice. The wine offers good density and richness, but the aromatic intensity is downplayed compared to some of its peers from this classic vintage. Other than that, all the wine's elements are in the right place with cherry, wild plum, rose and tilled earth. Production is an ample 300,000 bottles." - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

93 POINTS - "Starts out with macerated plum and cherry fruit, shaded by tobacco, iron and earth flavors. Dense, dusty tannins put the grip on the finish, yet this is also vibrant and finds a nice equilibrium in the end, with the fruit returning. Best from 2024 through 2042." - Wine Spectator

CastelGiocondo 2016 is yet another chapter that encapsulates the wonderful story of this wine. The ruby-red color is vibrant and intense. The wide-ranging bouquet is utterly elegant with fruity sensations that pervade the nose when you first smell it. Hints of forest fruits and ripe red berries, accompanied by elegant floral notes, are the predominant aromas. When left to breathe, it releases scents of spices and balsamic notes, which give it remarkable balance and complexity. When tasted, it reveals a dense yet elegant tannic texture that, together with its characteristic mineral quality, envelops the palate and leaves a lasting impression thanks to its harmonious balance. The finish is long, warming and persistent, with resurging hints of sweet spices and balsamic notes.