2010 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 'Vigna di Pianrosso Santa Caterina d'Oro' (MAGNUM)

Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is a grand estate of great historical and religious heritage, having been owned by the bishop of Montalcino in the seventeenth century. It is currently run by the grandchildren of Guiseppe Bianchini, then the principal winemaker at the estate, who was bequeathed the property due to the prior owner having no heirs. Located on the southeast facing slopes of the Montalcino municipality, close to Castelnuovo dell’Abate, the entire estate comprised 200 hectares of which about 55 are planted to vines.  There are numerous wooded areas and 40 hectares of olive trees. Substantial parts of the vineyard were replanted between 1986 and 1990. The full range of wines are made – a Rosso, a Brunello classico from 8 hectres plus a single vineyard designated Brunello and a Riserva called Santa Caterina d’Oro, both sourced from the  “Pianrosso”  vineyard, which extends to 11.7 hectares with a varied altitude of between 240 and 369 metres. The winery describes itself as an alliance of modern and traditional by virtue of using state of the art oenoligical equipment but vinification process that are founded on old style traditional methods. Long Fermentations take place in steel vats or glass lined cement tanks and aging in larger Slavonian oak of varying sizes.

"Aromas of plums, flowers, fresh mushrooms and violets. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Beautiful balance and length. Powerful tannins underneath the exquisite fruit. Great finish. Goes on for minutes. Drink or hold, (JS, 100 points)".