Piancornello

‘There’s a cascade of dried florals here, ranging from rose petals to lilacs; the glazed strawberries and cherries are equally intense. So much power and ripeness to the full-bodied palate, but there’s a savory, stony flavor and texture that permeates the whole package. Long on the finish. Drink from 2024.’
95/100 James Suckling

‘Ripe nose of cherry, orange blossom, licorice and sweet spices. Smooth and glyceral, with ripe flavors of red cherry nectar and plum enlivened by balsamic oils and earth tones. Closes long and round. In my experience, Piancornello’s wines age very well.’
93+/100 Vinous

Dense and inky, this bold and compelling Brunello opens with dark, ripe fruit - blackberry, plum and prune - and develops over the bottle into more complex, tertiary notes of leather, cigar box and salami. Very powerful and impressive.
Quite tannic, still, so needs further time or, failing that (people don’t like to wait these days, do they?), vigorous decanting.
Drink with hearty, savoury dishes.

Brunello di Montalcino was, with Barolo, Italy’s first DOCG-level wine back in 1980.

‘Brunello’ translates as 'little dark one' and is the local name for Sangiovese Grosso, the large-berried form of Sangiovese that grows around the Tuscan hilltop town of Montalcino.

According to DOCG laws, Brunello must be made from 100% Sangiovese and aged for at least four years (five for Riserva). Two of these must be spent in wood, and the wine must be bottled at least four months prior to commercial release. Vineyards must be planted on hills with good exposures at altitudes not exceeding 600m.

Piancornello takes its name from a hamlet just south of Montalcino where the winery is located. The 10 hectares of estate vineyards are located on hilly land with rocky, volcanic soils and southern exposures, which contribute to crafting full bodied, mineral wines.

Fermented in the same way as the Brunello, this vivacious Rosso exudes bright aromas of cherry stone, vanilla and caper, while the moderately-tannic, full-bodied wash is full of smokey olives, savoury cedar and raspberry flavours.

Aged in 60% barriques (one-fifth new) and 40% stainless steel.

Enjoy, after decanting, with mature cheeses, roasted meats, game pie and sauced mushroom dishes.

Rosso di Montalcino is found in the same delimited area as its more illustrious sibling Brunello di Montalcino. The DOC was created in 1984 in order to make the most of the fruit from the region’s younger vines, the idea being to create a fresher style that required less ageing (just one year) than its stablemate. This would enable Brunello producers to make money while waiting for their DOCG wine to age, as well as declassify any Brunello (still reposing) whose development they were not entirely happy with.

Piancornello takes its name from a hamlet just south of Montalcino where the winery is located. The 10 hectares of estate vineyards are located on hilly land with rocky, volcanic soils and southern exposures, which contribute to crafting full bodied, mineral wines.>/p>