2018 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino

The 2018 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino is a beautifully poised expression of Sangiovese Grosso from one of the most admired estates in southern Montalcino. Crafted in a cooler, breezy corner near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, it balances Tuscan warmth with striking freshness and finesse. This is Brunello for those who value elegance, harmony and drinkability over sheer power.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 shows a luminous, deep garnet core with brick-red reflections at the rim, hinting at both youth and classical structure. The nose opens with pure red cherry and wild strawberry, followed by plum, dried rose petals and violet. With air, more complex notes emerge: sweet tobacco, cedar shavings, Tuscan herbs, a touch of blood orange, and subtle hints of leather and spice. On the palate, this Brunello is medium-bodied yet remarkably complete, gliding across the tongue with refined texture rather than weight. The fruit profile leans toward ripe red berries and sour cherry, supported by a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that gives the wine lift and brightness. Fine-grained, polished tannins are impeccably integrated, offering enough grip for long-term aging without feeling austere. The finish is long and graceful, leaving lingering notes of cherry, spice and earthy minerality. Enjoyable now with a proper decant, it will comfortably evolve and gain tertiary complexity over the next 10–15 years, and likely beyond in good cellars.

Production
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona’s Brunello comes from estate vineyards that unfold behind the village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where the slopes gently descend toward the Orcia river, the natural boundary of the Montalcino appellation. This area benefits from a relatively cool microclimate, south-facing exposures and well-drained, stony soils rich in marl and galestro, preserving freshness even in warmer years. The estate, certified for organic farming, harvests its Sangiovese Grosso by hand, carefully selecting only perfectly ripe clusters. In the cellar, the grapes are traditionally vinified, with temperature-controlled fermentations to preserve aromatic purity, followed by extended maturation in large Slavonian oak casks to respect the character of the fruit and terroir. The result is a Brunello that marries classical structure with modern precision.

Food & Serving
This 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is an excellent partner for classic Tuscan cuisine and refined, savory dishes. Think bistecca alla fiorentina, roasted lamb with rosemary, wild boar ragù over pappardelle, or aged pecorino and other hard cheeses. It also shines alongside mushroom dishes, truffle pasta and slow-braised beef or veal. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Burgundy or Brunello stems to let the aromatics fully unfold. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to soften the tannins and open the bouquet; older bottles (10+ years) will benefit from a gentler, shorter decant just to remove sediment.

Producer
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona is one of Montalcino’s most respected historic estates, with roots stretching back to a 17th‑century palazzo in Castelnuovo dell’Abate where the family’s wines were vinified for generations. The modern chapter began when Giuseppe Bianchini took over and later passed the torch to his son Paolo, who famously traded a professional cycling career for stewardship of the estate. Under the Bianchini family, Ciacci Piccolomini has become a benchmark for the southern Montalcino area, consistently earning high critical acclaim for Brunello that combines regional typicity with remarkable finesse. Today, with a new, state-of-the-art cellar just outside the village and fully certified organic viticulture, the winery continues to set a high standard for Brunello di Montalcino, offering wines noted for their harmony, longevity and distinctive sense of place.

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