“A riveting, age-worthy Brunello with class, energy and longevity.”

 

Following a recent visit to Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona, Kerin O’Keefe has published an expansive set of scores and comments for the Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso range… 30 years worth to be exact! Her tasting took her all the way from 1993 to 2019, with an impressive score of 100 being awarded to the Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso 2019.

 

1993 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Garnet with brick reflections, the thirty-year old Pianrosso has aged gracefully. It has classic aromas of aged Brunello, including forest floor, carob, tar, eucalyptus and flint. The palate is even more expressive, with dried cherry, tart pomegranate, orange zest, salty mineral and the same carob note as the nose. It has silky, buffed tannins and surprising freshness. 93 points

 

1995 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Though younger, the 1995 Pianrosso appears older than the 1993, showing notes of marsala, tar, zabaglione, grilled herb and menthol before a salty finish. While at its limit and definitely time to drink, it’s still sound at age twenty-eight. 90 Points

 

1996 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

The 1996 Pianrosso is radiant, with bright acidity that lifts dried cherry, hazelnut, flinty mineral, blood orange and tar notes. It’s also incredibly smooth, with polished tannins. Still youthful with years to go. A fabulous showing. Drink through 2031. 96 Points

 

1997 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Aromas of underbrush, dried cherry and flinty mineral carry over to the smooth, enveloping palate along with prune, dried mint and a dollop of vanilla. Burnished tannins provide supple support and it’s still surprisingly fresh. Drink. 94 Points

 

1999 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

The 1999 Pianrosso is utterly delicious, boasting a backbone of velvety tannins that seamlessly support ripe Morello cherry, baking spice, liquorice and tobacco. It’s elegant and well balanced with the complexity of an aged wine but it’s also vibrant, smooth and intense. A stellar showing from an excellent vintage. Drink through 2034. 97 Points

 

2000 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

From a hot vintage, this has aromas and Flavors of leather, prune, dried cherry, tar and camphor. It’s rather evolved but still offers a few more years of drinking pleasure. Best through 2025. 92 Points

 

2001 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Showing much younger than the 2000, the 2001 Pianrosso is exceptionally fragrant, with enticing scents of baking spice, pressed rose petal, menthol and new leather. It’s also delicious, delivering dried cherry, licorice, tobacco and nutmeg wrapped up in smooth, tightly-woven tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Drink through 2036 98 Points

 

2003 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

This was the surprise of the vertical. Nothing cooked or tired about this full-bodied beauty despite the scorching vintage that heralded the beginning of climate change. It’s velvety, enveloping and shockingly fresh, with sensations of ripe cherry, pipe tobacco, flint and forest floor as well as liquorice, orange zest and hints of carob. Drink through 2028. 95 Points

 

2004 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

The 2004 Pianrosso wows with aromas of baked plum, violet, pine forest and underbrush. Rich and juicy, the palate shows a restrained elegance, offering black cherry, carob, dried mint and saline mineral notes set against a backdrop of smooth but still taut tannins. Fresh acidity keeps lifted. Drink through 2029. 95 Points

 

2006 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Aromas of forest floor, star anise and camphor carry through to the full-bodied palate along with dried cherry, liquorice and tobacco. Fresh acidity and tightly-woven, close-grained tannins provide firm support. Still taut and tense. Drink through 2031. 95 Points

2007 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

From another extremely hot, dry vintage, this opens with aromas recalling Mediterranean scrub, crushed mint, red currant and prune. Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate features dried cherry, carob, liquorice and the same prune note as the nose. It’s reached is peak and should be enjoyed soon to capture the balance of fruit, freshness and complexity. 92 Points

 

2008 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

All about elegance, the 2008 Pianrosso is fragrant, with floral aromas of violet and pressed rose that mingle with new leather and camphor. On the full-bodied palate, refined tannins accompany dried cherry, blood orange, baking spice and liquorice before a saline close. It’s already accessible but will age well for several years or more. Drink through 2033. 94 Points

 

2010 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

This is just beautiful, with aromas of forest floor, violet and perfumed berry. On the full-bodied palate, enveloping, velvety tannins wrap around dried cherry, liquorice, hazelnut and balsamic notes of menthol. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink through 2030. 95 Points

 

2012 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Aromas recalling red berry, forest floor, camphor and dog rose come to the forefront on the 2012 Pianrosso. Full-bodied and firm, the delicious, velvety palate shows spiced cranberry, blood orange and licorice before closing on a note of almond liqueur. Drink through 2032. 95 Points

 

2013 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Showing great elegance and structure, the dazzling 2013 Pianrosso has aromas of violet, tilled earth, crushed berry, truffle and spice. Delicious and full-bodied, the palate features succulent black cherry, raspberry compote and tobacco before finishing on a soothing licorice note. Tightly woven, polished tannins and bright acidity keep it well balanced. It’s aging beautifully. Drink through 2033. 98 Points

 

2015 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

The compelling 2015 Pianrosso opens with classic aromas of new leather, underbrush, baking spice and mint. On the full-bodied, elegantly structured palate, enveloping, velvety tannins accompany dried cherry, raspberry compote, spiced cranberry, truffle and vanilla before a pipe tobacco close. Fresh acidity provides excellent balance. What a beauty. Drink 2025–2038. 98 Points

 

2016 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Delicious, full-bodied and boasting a weightless finesse, the 2016 Pianrosso is absolutely gorgeous, starting with its enticing aromas of red berry, tobacco, dog rose and eucalyptus. Smooth, concentrated and elegant, the palate delivers crushed raspberries, liquor-soaked cherries, blood oranges and licorice framed in tightly-woven, velvety tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2025–2036. 98 Points

 

2017 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Aromas of graphite and ripe dark-skinned berry mingle with new leather and eucalyptus. On the polished, savory palate, taut, refined tannins accompany ripe raspberry, prune, dried cherry and hints of almond liqueur. Drink through 2032. 95 Points

 

2018 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

The impressive 2018 Pianrosso opens with classic aromas of new leather, underbrush, baking spice and mint. On the full-bodied, elegantly structured palate, enveloping, velvety tannins accompany dried cherry, raspberry compote, spiced cranberry, truffle and vanilla before a pipe tobacco close. Fresh acidity provides excellent balance. Drink 2025–2038. A superb wine. 98 Points

 

2019 Brunello Di Montalcino Pianrosso

Boasting great depth and extreme elegance, the drop-dead gorgeous Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona 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. Drink 2029–2044. 100 Points

 

A link to Kerin’s Youtube video speaking with Paolo Bianchini (Head Winemaker of Ciacci) can be found here