About this Winery: 
Ciacci Piccolomini is one of the most sought-after producers in all of Italy. This ancient estate has 35 hectares of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone, including the 'Pianrosso' vineyard (meaning 'red field,' a reference to the iron rich soils). Made by the brother-and-sister team Paolo and Lucia Bianchini, this ancient estate was left to the Bianchini family in 1985 by Countess Elda Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, who had no heirs; Giuseppe (Paolo and Lucia's father) had been the estate manager. Their Brunellos emphasize finesse and balance, with layers of ultra-fine tannins and subtle ripe fruit, yet they age incredibly well.

Fermentation and refinement: Stainless steel and glass concrete vats with temperature controlled through cooling plates and jackets.

Aging: Over 24 months in Slavonian oak barrels and barriques, followed by over 8 months in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes

The bouquet is intense, fruit-forward, spicy and floral with hints of red berry fruits. Warm, soft and very well balanced on the palate, well structured with soft tannins and a long finish. 

Food pairings: 
This is a very versatile wine and can match all courses of a meal. Great companion to roasted and stewed game meat and excellent with mature cheeses and traditional handmade pasta in red sauce.

Ratings & Reviews:

96 Points - James Suckling:
"A profound wine with vibrancy and complexity, exuding restrained cherries and raspberries, together with touches of ash and fresh orange peel. Leafiness and meaty minerality add an extra dimension. The attack is lush and ripe, with full body, velvety tannins, refreshing acidity and violet-soaked cherries to finish. Real precision here. Drinkable now, but best after 2025." (Sep 2024)

95 Points - Luca Gardini:
"Elegant and very well balanced. Nose with dogwood sensations, then caper fruits, black pepper in grains and hints of eucalyptus. Juicy and taut mouthfeel, with sapid tannins. It closes with memories of small fruits and balsamic sensations, accompanied by iodine memories.” (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Kerin O'Keefe:
"The striking 2020 Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is intensely fragrant, offering aromas of ripe wild berry, blue flower, Mediterranean scrub and dark spice. Full-bodied and structured but also boasting weightless finesse, the savory palate delivers Morello cherry, ripe raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2029–2035.” (Nov 2024)

95 Points - The Wine Independent:
"This 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is little darker in color than some other Brunellos from the 2020 vintage. On the nose, it has appealing mixed fruit preserves, violets, grated nutmeg, black plum tart. It's very nicely balanced on the palate; the acid is well-integrated and cleanses the palate while retaining a pleasant roundness on the edges. The alcohol is just slightly warming but does not detract from the wine, and on the finish, orange peel, clove oil, and tapenade interplay amongst the fine and structured tannins. Very enjoyable! Drink: 2025-2044.” - Vanessa Conlin (Dec 2024)

94 Points – Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2020 Brunello Di Montalcino pours a bright red/orange-tinged color and is ripe and sapid on the nose with notes of crushed black raspberries, mocha, sweet herbs, and mossy, floral earth. It's elegant on the palate, with salty, mouthwatering accents, but the acidity is not what kicks that forward. It's ripe with plush, velvety tannins, hints of porcini, and earth tones that are sure to improve and build as the wine ages. It has a hearty texture in its medium frame and fills the palate with hints of black truffle. Drink over the coming 15 or more years.” - Audrey Frick (Jan 2025)

93 Points – Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is impossible to ignore, with a burst of crushed plums and black cherries accentuated by sweet herbs, hints of tobacco and wilted violets. It's round and supple with dark red fruits, autumnal spices that swirl throughout and a hint of cocoa that embellishes the close. Despite its depth and concentration, the 2020 maintains energy while coming across as wonderfully refined, leaves fine-grained tannins to resonate beneath an air of lavender and mocha. Drink: 2026-2034.” - Eric Guido (Nov 2024)

93 Points – Wine Spectator:
“This red is supple in texture, evoking cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors. There's also a distinctive salty taste and fine viscosity on the palate. This is balanced, with a judicious layer of tannins framing the finish. Best from 2027 through 2042. 5,566 cases made, 2,083 cases imported.” – Bruce Sanderson (Apr 2025)

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2020 Brunello di Montalcino is a grippy, lifted wine with aromas of black fruit, crushed stone, grilled rosemary and lavender. The wine reveals a meaty and ripe texture with chewy fruit flavors in this hot vintage. The high 15% alcohol content makes for a less elegant drinking experience. Drink: 2025-2038.” - Monica Larner (Nov 2024)