"WOW – What a wine!" The Silky Brunello That Stuns Today at $69 (Just 10 Cases)

New Arrival and A Limited Allocation of the Perfect Single Vineyard Expression from the Ancient Bishop’s Palace That Is “Absolutely Stunning.” WOW - "What A Wine!"

“The 2019 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona…there's no mistaking this wine for anything but Brunello…That beautiful sense of openness is something you taste in the wines, even more so with some bottle age…” - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

"The Ciacci Brunellos are classic wines from Castelnuovo dell'Abate, which means they are built on textural warmth, richness and volume, all influences of nearby Maremma. The top two Brunellos, the Pianrosso and the Riserva Santa Caterina d'Oro are both richer and spend more time in cask." - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

It is difficult not to notice the 100-100 point reviews on the 2019 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso, but you taste the wine and you can see why soo many have flipped over the iconic Brunello with its Southern appeal! And yes, it is a must-buy recommendation from IWM as well. Our only concern is that it deflects away from other vintages that are inviting and absolutely delicious right from the pull of the cork, and improves after an hour or more of aeration. There is simply no reason not to enjoy the more exotic 2017 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso today when it is this good – the nose alone is worth the price of admission. And at $69.99, this is a wine that can command $100 elsehwere, this new arrival is something everyone can sing about!

Today, we return to this IWM signature. The ancient estate, formally known as the Bishop’s Palace, has a rich history dating back to the 17th Century. But it wasn’t until 1985 that it became the thing of folklore when the late countess Elda Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona bequethed the entire estate to Giuseppe Bianchini – her property manager who had been overseeing the farming for years. The surprising and generous act has resulted in some of the region’s most pleasurable expressions. And it is here on the southern tip of Montalcino that the wines of Ciacci Piccolomini naturally express their richer profile of Sangiovese, with supporting depth to complement the awesome texture of fruit. And it is in the cru Pianrosso vineyard, meaning ‘red field,’ a reference to the iron rich fields, that there is an undeniable spine of minerality and depth to complement the ample texture of fruit.

And yes, the media has already given the 2019 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 100-100 point perfection, but it is not hype, for IWM it remains one of the must-buys and one of the most pleasurable wines in each vintage – as indicated in 2017. There is a silky appeal with aeration that cannot be denied. Even with its 15% alcohol, it is all about elegance and balance – Burgundian-like in its texture and fruit purity. And as we always suggest with this wine, while pan seared duck breast may be synonymous with Burgundy and Pinot Noir, this a Brunello that is so generous, we are rethinking the signature pairing with Ciacci Piccolomini.

Yes, the 2019 Pianrosso is a MUST-BUY if you do not already have it, but don’t miss the more exotic 2017 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso – it is DELIZIOSO today at $69.99 and just arrived! And on a final note, we are including the rare 2019 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Pianrosso Sant Caterina, which is only produced in select vintages. Just 900 cases produced for the world, and it sells out quickly with each release. Carpe diem.

FEATURED WINES: New Arrival and Final Allocation from Ciacci-Piccolomini

*indicates pre-arrival 

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND REVIEWS: 

2017 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants:  “While many of the 2019s and 2020s are capturing a lot of attention, here is a little gem that captures a darker and more exotic side of Montalcino – but with lift and energy. Yes, there is concentration from the warm vintage is there, but this classic always remains lite on its feet. Right from the pull of the cork, explosive nuances fill the room with dark fruit, licorice, violets, and Italian earth which continue through to the palate. You can expect gobs of succulent black cherry, raspberries, wild berries, licorice, plums, Indian spice, leather, and scorched Tuscan earth. Easy drinking, silky and explosive Brunello that impresses today!”

Kerin O'Keefe, Wine Enthusiast:  "[$100/750ml list] This full-bodied red starts off with aromas of leather, forest floor and camphor. Enveloping and structured, the palate shows a weightless concentration, featuring dried cherry, licorice, tobacco and a hint of orange zest framed in velvety tannins.(Apr 2022)"

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2017 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso shows nice balance and elegance, and it definitely shows the deft hand of the winemaking team in what was not an easy vintage by any stretch. This pretty wine delivers lots of fresh cherry and wild rose, with ferrous earthy, licorice and grilled herb; I also get bay leaf and rosemary sprig. Like the annata 2017 Brunello produced by this estate, the single-vineyard Brunello Pianrosso is distinguished by a sweet cherry note (plus a hefty 15% alcohol) that accompanies the wine from start to finish."

2019 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso

Christopher Deas, Italian Wine Merchants: “How do you surpass the straight Brunello for what might just be the value of the vintage? It happens right here with the single vineyard Pianrosso. It is the more serious wine, with more structure, more spine, more minerality, and more depth. It does come off a little less rustic and more feminine than the straight Brunello and there is a silky appeal, with aeration, that cannot be denied. Even with its 15% alcohol, it is all about elegance and balance – Burgundian-like in its texture and fruit purity. Easily one of the collector wines of the vintage, and what we love about it, it is a price that both enthusiasts and collectors can appreciate. I agree with Kerin O’Keefe, the wine is absolutely stunning.”

Monica Larner, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso opens to a wide and all-encompassing bouquet with dried cherry or cherry pie with the crust, plum tart and rose potpourri. There are evident oak tones, but they fold into underbrush, grilled herb and the generous texture of this wine. Likewise, the 15% alcohol content also neatly disappears into the wine's fleshy fruit consistency. For sure, this is a wine that needs more bottle evolution in order to hone in on the silkiness and pretty freshness of such an important Sangiovese."

Kerin O’Keefe: "Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso delivers crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, star anise and crushed mint flavors while aromas of eucalyptus, wild rose, new leather and forest floor continuously lift out of the glass. It’s a smooth, stunning wine, with taut, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity that lend great aging potential and energy. Absolutely stunning.”

2019 Ciacci Picolomini Brunello di Montalcino Santa Caterina D'oro Riserva

Kerin O'Keefe: "Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with dark spice, mature wild berry, menthol, leather and underbrush on the compelling 2019 Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina D’Oro Riserva. Full-bodied and boasting weightless concentration and finesse, the structured, savory palate unfolds to reveal juicy Morello cherry, fruitcake, blood orange, cinnamon and licorice accompanied by a backbone of tightly woven, crushed velvet tannins that give the finish grip. Fresh acidity keeps it energized and lends intensity. A fantastic wine that will offer years of pleasure.(Nov 2024)"

James Suckling: "Wow. The ripe yet fresh aromas are so alluring and compelling, showing plums, cedar, rose petals and hints of leather. Full-bodied yet framed and tensioned with fantastic length and intensity. Polished tannins are powerful but reserved, showing great presence and character. This is a monumental wine in many senses of the word. One for the cellar. (12/12/24)"

Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:  "I have not seen this wine in a few years. The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro offers a darkly concentrated approach with a bouquet built upon black fruit intensity, spice, earth and cured tobacco. I find the approach quite robust and heavy-handed. This vintage is especially concentrated and best recommended to those looking for this hearty style. The tannins come with a hint of dryness.(11/21/24)"