Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Tuscany, Italy

Decanter 95 points! Wine Advocate 93, Wine Spectator 90, James Suckling 93!

Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino is a beautiful red wine gem from the superb 2017 vintage. The history of the Frescobaldi family starts over a thousand years ago and is closely connected with the history of Tuscany. At the high point of medieval Florence, the Frescobaldi's spread their influence as bankers, earning the title of treasures to the English crown. A little later, with the flowering of the Renaissance, they became patrons of major works in Florence, such as the construction of the Santa Trinita bridge and the Basilica of Santo Spirito.

“Supple and generous in terms of acidity, crushed velvet-textured tannins and herbal-edged red berry fruit - mouth filling and lively. This has character and definition, so youthful still, with tannins on the ripe, grippy side but there is nice underlying spice and touches of bitter orange peel, cinnamon and toasted cedar alongside more delicate rose and violet floral elements all of which come in waves presenting themselves one after the other building to a harmonious and characterful crescendo on the finish. Structured and persistent with depth and lasting power. Totally captivating.”—Decanter 95 points!

The Frescobaldi 2017 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is one of those wines that has seen slight tweaks and stylistic changes over the past 10 years, going from an abundant, large-scale generic Tuscan red to a more subdued and authentic interpretation of the cool Montalcino territory. I'd say that the transition has been smooth and not obvious, unless you were especially attentive. Despite the hot-vintage character of this sample, the wine freely dispenses of wild berry, crushed stone and red rose aromas. This is an ambitious production of 300,000 bottles." Drink 2024-2038.”—Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, 93 points!

Pair Frescobaldi CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino with roast beef, osso buco, vegetarian dishes, and aged cheeses.