2013 Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Bottle number 18003. Certified organic by Valoritalia. Lustrous mid ruby and still youthful. Complex undergrowth-and-mineral nose. A pinch of exotic spice, like soy sauce. I would decant this. Precise and pure on the palate and with beautiful, firm, coating tannins that are like a wall-to-wall carpet. Ripe acidity adding tension. Proper old school. Has just started its ascent. (WS)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A classic beauty, the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino wafts up with a dark bouquet of dusty rose and red currants, offset by hints of licorice and exotic spice. It’s silky-smooth, seamless and elegant. Balanced acidity adds lift, as waves of ripe red berry fruit cascade beneath an air of perfumed inner florals. The 2013 remains youthfully tense through the finale yet slowly comes into focus, as gently grippy tannins tug at the palate and a saline tinge slowly fades. This is still maturing in bottle and is clearly destined for greatness.
Le Chiuse delivers an impeccable wine that beautifully captures the classic side of this elegant vintage. The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a gorgeous garnet color that is both luminous and sultry. The bouquet takes a minute or two to reach cruising altitude. Once it does, it reveals wild cherry, rose hip, blanched almond and sassy licorice or spice. It is aged in large oak casks for 38 months, and the fruit is farmed organically. This is an absolute breakout vintage for Le Chiuse, and the wine already shows the textural richness for prolonged aging. Bravo!