2018 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is initially generous with aromas of dark fruit and spice, with notes of black cherry, smoke, cedar, and scorched earth. It is medium to full-bodied, with fresh blackberry, turned soil, and dried herbs, and its structure continues past its fruit, which is fresh and has a pretty arch, with dusty tannins and mineral texture gripping the palate. Drink this sturdy, solid effort 2024-2030.
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
In the pale cream-colored label, the Frescobaldi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino CastelGiocondo is richly textured and packed with dark fruit, black cherry and dried blackberry. The wine shows good concentration—probably a little more than your standard Brunello—with integrated tannins and balanced acidity. The finish is moderate in length, and this wine is ready to drink straight out of the gate.
Raspberry plum colour, medium intensity with an accessibility that reflects the cooler growing season of 2018. Winemaker Nicolo d'Afflitto has produced a well balanced wine with spiced raspberry, underbrush, leather, tea, pomegrante, sage, plenty of grip and lift through the finish. Enjoyably savoury feel overall, plenty to recommend here. 235ha estate from Marchesi Frescobaldi.
The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dusty and floral on the nose, with a mix of dried black cherries, shaved cedar and wild flowers forming its inviting bouquet. This is round, almost juicy in feel, with cooling mineral tones and brisk acidity that maintains an unexpectedly energetic character, as tart wild berry fruits slowly saturate. The 2018 finishes with grippy tannins, yet also surprisingly fresh, leaving nuances of red licorice to slowly taper off. This really took me by surprise, as I’m so accustomed to Castelgiocondo being such a brooding and powerful wine in its youth, but that is the magic of the 2018 vintage.
About the producer
The Frescobaldi family has a long history stretching back a thousand years – a noble family integral to Florence’s development. They have made wine since the 1300s and today own estates across Tuscany, including Tenuta Luce in Brunello di Montalcino.