2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte
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Tasting notes
Displaying a bright youthful red color, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva is open and pure with ripe aromas of candied strawberries, pressed roses, sweet licorice, and pine. Approachable and medium-bodied, it’s ripe through the palate without being weighted, with sweet tannins, and it retains lovely freshness, floating off the palate with a tapered finish. It’s a very pretty wine to drink now or over the coming 8-10 years.
Critic scores
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Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Moving to the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Ugolforte, its rich ruby hue is followed by aromas of cherry candy, wild raspberry liqueur, rosemary, and violets. On the palate, it reveals medium to full body, ripe tannins, black cherry fruit, crunchy acidity, and a hint of sage. It offers a bit of warming spice without being heavy and displays the transparency that is typical of the vintage. Drink 2024-2040.
Showing medium-dark concentration, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is savory in character with black spice, saddle leather and some distant hints of cured meat. I always associate Ugolforte with a more contemporary winemaking style that showcases spice, ripe fruit and soft tannins. This vintage delivers all of those things over a plush and accessible mouthfeel. Some 50,000 bottles were made.
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Ugolforte is understated in the glass, lifted and delicate, with white pepper, pretty rose and nuances of dried strawberry. This envelopes the palate with soft textures and soothingly ripe red fruits contrasted with savory spices and inner herbal tones. The 2018 lingers long, showing balsamic nuances and salted licorice, as gentle tannins frame but don’t slow its momentum. It will be interesting to follow this understated beauty through its maturity.