Castelgiocondo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Frescobaldi
Item Number: 13 30 112 18
Castelgiocondo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Frescobaldi
Another classic Brunello from Frescobaldi - 95 Points!
Quick Taste
- 95 Points!
- "Very aromatic and beautiful with blackberry and black-cherry aromas."
- "The wine shows good concentration—probably a little more than your standard Brunello"
About Castelgiocondo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Frescobaldi
The Castelgiocondo estate is the Brunello estate owned by Marchesi di Frescobaldi. It lies on the southwestern slope of Montalcino, at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,200 feet. Diverse soils and ideal exposure bring beautiful ripeness and development to the indigenous Sangiovese Grosso. This wine is always a classic, and the outstanding 2018 vintage excels.
The 100% Sangiovese grapes were picked by hand and carefully selected after arriving in the cellar. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature with frequent pump-overs, particularly during the early stages. The wine was then aged in large oak casks, where it was able to mature, ripen and develop balance.
The 2018 CastelGiocondo is an intense shade of ruby red. Always set apart by its elegance, this characteristic is more marked than ever in this vintage. The fruity notes, the first to hit your olfactory receptors, are dominated by blueberry and blackberry, flanked by blackcurrant and other berries. They are followed by floral hints of violet and dog rose, which are always found in the bouquets of the best Brunello di Montalcino. Next on the nose are clear spicy notes of black pepper and cardamom, chased by a pleasant aroma of licorice. On the palate, the tannins are dense but not harsh, accompanied by delicate mineral notes. The consistency between the nose and palate and the long and persistent finish make it particularly balanced.
James Suckling scored this 95 Points saying "Very aromatic and beautiful with blackberry and black-cherry aromas. Hints of flowers. Medium-bodied and extremely refined. Bright and elegant."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored this 92 Points saying "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."
Decanter scored this 92 Points saying "Plums, hoisin sauce, a soy touch, savoury nuances on the nose with ripe red berries, dark chocolate, coffee and toasted hazelnuts. Punchy and forward, this has a lovely sense of life and liveliness to it with cool blue fruit touches, wet stone nuances and some bitter chocolate edges. Sleek and silky, smooth with lovely purity. Friendly and appealing on the palate with a lifted finish and overall sense of joy. Easy drinking for sure still with bite and edges giving the complexity and interest. I love the tannins - so well integrated but so present - they really give the wine its shape and leave the lasting impression on the finish giving the definition."
Jeb Dunnuck scored this 92 Points saying "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."
Wine Spectator scored this 92 Points saying "Elegant, with a vibrant structure shoring up cherry, raspberry, plum, earth and underbrush flavors. Turns compact on the finish, yet bright acidity and vestiges of the fruit keep this focused. Best from 2025 through 2040."
Wine Enthusiast scored this 92 Points saying "18 Castelgiocondo (Brunello di Montalcino). The nose oscillates between sweet, warm aromas of vanilla, chocolate, baking spices and Luxardo cherries and then savory notes of graphite, gunpowder and leather. The palate indulges in the cherries and chocolate, giving a luxurious mouthfeel even as tannins are still wound tightly."
Wine Details
- Alcohol % 14.0%
- Bottle Size 750 ml
- Wine Type Red
- Country Italy
- Region Tuscany
- Appellation Brunello di Montalcino
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