Tasting Notes
In time-honored tradition, tasting notes come via our dear friend, Vino Vistas.
The colour is dark ruby and the nose is classic Sangiovese, transporting one instantly to Montalcino. The bouquet is a little tight at first ranging from gentle balsamic notes and a hint of steak. In time it deepens to a delicious herbaceousness, accompanied by mouth-watering aromas of ripe cherry and dark berries. In the background tell-tale floral notes of violets lurk.
In the mouth the first impression is of a very pleasant juiciness paired with ripe fruit and seductive well-structured tannins. The mouth-feel is round and silky-smooth with expertly integrated alcohol. It is generously mouth-filling and rewards with a long fruity finish.
2016 is an outstanding vintage and this is a Brunello that caresses and envelops like a Kashmir pashmina. Close your eyes and let yourself be transported to Il Palazzone, overlooking the vast valley towards a spectacular sunset, surrounded by vineyards brimming with summer scents.
Warning, definitely have a second bottle at the ready!
Harvest Notes
The 2016 vintage is the second five star year since the legendary 2010 (the so-called vintage of the century) and is already a source of much anticipation, following so closely on the heels of wonderful 2015.
For us it was the year of the bug war. We picked the Castelnuovo vineyards on 28th September and higher altitude Le Due Porte on 5th October 2016. I remember the harvest very clearly since there were storms and we waited to pick until afterwards and, while retrospectively this was definitely the right decision, I remember flinching as the rain fell and fearing the worst.
Though it makes for tedious reading the weather report for the year uses the word average extremely often which is of course exactly the conditions that wine producers most desire. It was an average spring with average rainfall but no snow. 2016 was a vintage that was unproblematic for canopy management or grape health. Some rainfall in July was enough to balance the 30 C temperatures of the second part of the month and a relatively dry August. This said, August 2016 was nothing like 2017 where drought put Montalcino to the test particularly in certain areas. In 2016 there was 70 mm rainfall between the beginning and end of the month. Significant thermal excursion in August allowed for a slow ripening which is often not the case (see 2018). There was rain at the beginning of September and in the middle of the month but the tramontana northern wind saved the day, along with pronounced thermal excursion and very warm days and very cool nights. Expect considerable aromatic complexity, elegant tannins and delightful acidity…. and wines that are anything but average! See here for some of the decisions behind every bottle.
Reviews
GARDININOTES.com THE WINE KILLER - OCTOBER 2021 - 95 PTS (L.G.)
Excellent interpretation of Brunello from this firm located in Due Porte. Good job of finesse carried out in wine cellar resulting in a homegeneous and well-balanced product. Plum jam and balsamic hints on the nose. Final notes of dried thyme. Fullness in the mouth, with iodized tannins and persistence.
Excellent interpretation of Brunello from this firm located in Due Porte. Good job of finesse carried out in wine cellar resulting in a homegeneous and well-balanced product. Plum jam and balsamic hints on the nose. Final notes of dried thyme. Fullness in the mouth, with iodized tannins and persistence.
JOHN FODERA'S TUSCAN VINES - BRUNELLO 2016 TASTING REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2021 - 92 PTS (J.F.)
The 2016 Il Palazzone Brunello is a medium violet color throughout. Everything about this wine screams grace and elegance. High toned floral notes mix with perfumed crushed morello cherry and essentially create a singular aroma. On the palate, this is juicy and fresh. Medium to full bodied, nothing about this is a bruiser. Moderate tannins are nicely integrated and the juicy, fresh core of fruit picks up tobacco as it closes. Soft spice lingers in the background. This will be an interesting evolution to watch.
The 2016 Il Palazzone Brunello is a medium violet color throughout. Everything about this wine screams grace and elegance. High toned floral notes mix with perfumed crushed morello cherry and essentially create a singular aroma. On the palate, this is juicy and fresh. Medium to full bodied, nothing about this is a bruiser. Moderate tannins are nicely integrated and the juicy, fresh core of fruit picks up tobacco as it closes. Soft spice lingers in the background. This will be an interesting evolution to watch.
TOM HYLAND ITALIAN WINE REPORT - MAY 2021 - 95 PTS (T.H.)
Youthful garnet; aromas of fresh red cherry, red poppy and a hint of sweet tobacco. Medium-full with very good to excellent concentration. Ideal ripeness, silky, medium- full tannins, subdued wood notes, long, sleek finish with delicate notes of red spice. Beautifully made, with outstanding varietal purity and sense of place, there is excellent overall harmony – this is a seamless wine. While approachable now, this will reveal more complexities over the next 7-10 years, with peak in 12-15.
Youthful garnet; aromas of fresh red cherry, red poppy and a hint of sweet tobacco. Medium-full with very good to excellent concentration. Ideal ripeness, silky, medium- full tannins, subdued wood notes, long, sleek finish with delicate notes of red spice. Beautifully made, with outstanding varietal purity and sense of place, there is excellent overall harmony – this is a seamless wine. While approachable now, this will reveal more complexities over the next 7-10 years, with peak in 12-15.
WINE ENTHUSIAST - MAY 2021 - 95 PTS (K.O.)
Aromas of rose, camphor and wild berry mingle with whiffs of leather and Mediterranean herb on this lovely Brunello. The racy, high-toned palate delivers tart cranberry, red raspberry and crushed mint while a graphite note lends depth. Polished tannins and bright acidity keep it focused and balanced. It's already showing beautifully but also offers years of fine drinking. Enjoy 2023–2031.
Aromas of rose, camphor and wild berry mingle with whiffs of leather and Mediterranean herb on this lovely Brunello. The racy, high-toned palate delivers tart cranberry, red raspberry and crushed mint while a graphite note lends depth. Polished tannins and bright acidity keep it focused and balanced. It's already showing beautifully but also offers years of fine drinking. Enjoy 2023–2031.
WINE & SPIRITS - APRIL 2021 - 94 PTS (S.J.)
Complex aromas of red cherry, orange zest and subtle spice are mirrored on the palate, the flavors propelled by brisk acidity and girded by cool, mineral tannins. The wine captures the freshness of the 2016 vintage, the vibrant flavors drawing out on a long, rose-scented finish.
Complex aromas of red cherry, orange zest and subtle spice are mirrored on the palate, the flavors propelled by brisk acidity and girded by cool, mineral tannins. The wine captures the freshness of the 2016 vintage, the vibrant flavors drawing out on a long, rose-scented finish.
DECANTER - MARCH 2021 - 92 PTS (M.M.)
With a strong commitment to the environment, the estate’s practises extend beyond the vineyard to include rainwater recovery, lighter-weight glass bottles, recycled packaging, and complete avoidance of single-use plastic. Intense spiced cherry aromas are lifted by aromatic herbs like sage, tarragon and fennel. There's a polished sheen to this, with the palate offering lovely purity, sneaky depth and fine tannins. It finishes with tart, tangy red berries. Very light on its feet and will be approachable soon. Drinking Window 2022 - 2032.
With a strong commitment to the environment, the estate’s practises extend beyond the vineyard to include rainwater recovery, lighter-weight glass bottles, recycled packaging, and complete avoidance of single-use plastic. Intense spiced cherry aromas are lifted by aromatic herbs like sage, tarragon and fennel. There's a polished sheen to this, with the palate offering lovely purity, sneaky depth and fine tannins. It finishes with tart, tangy red berries. Very light on its feet and will be approachable soon. Drinking Window 2022 - 2032.
JAMESSUCKLING.COM - DEC 2020 - 94 PTS (J.S.)
Very pretty aromas and flavors of sweet berries and cherries with hints of mushrooms and bark, following through to a medium to full body with linear, tight tannins that flow through the palate. Try after 2023.
Very pretty aromas and flavors of sweet berries and cherries with hints of mushrooms and bark, following through to a medium to full body with linear, tight tannins that flow through the palate. Try after 2023.
THE WINE ADVOCATE- NOV 2020 - 92 PTS (M.L.)
Il Palazzone's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino unfolds to light and crisp fruit with lots of wild cherry, rose and blue flower. This is a silky and medium-bodied red with lots of lifted energy and zest. This is a very lively wine. That lighter approach gives this wine a more immediate and accessible approach, and it would pair well with pork or lamb chops. It represents a blend of fruit from three vineyard sites. Production is exactly 12,692 bottles. Drinking window 2023 - 2038.
Il Palazzone's 2016 Brunello di Montalcino unfolds to light and crisp fruit with lots of wild cherry, rose and blue flower. This is a silky and medium-bodied red with lots of lifted energy and zest. This is a very lively wine. That lighter approach gives this wine a more immediate and accessible approach, and it would pair well with pork or lamb chops. It represents a blend of fruit from three vineyard sites. Production is exactly 12,692 bottles. Drinking window 2023 - 2038.
VINOUS.COM - NOV 2020 - 93 PTS (E.G.)
A dusting of exotic spice, incense, sage, dried roses, black cherries and currants can all be found in the bouquet of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s silky in feel with a density of primary fruit mixed with stimulating acids and minerality that the young 2016s are becoming known for. Cooling herbal tones and hints of licorice add further depths, as a coating of fine tannin slowly settles in. This is classically structured and full of potential for the cellar, tapering off to purple-tinged inner florals over a hint of sour citrus and savory spice. Very nice. Drinking window 2024 - 2036.
A dusting of exotic spice, incense, sage, dried roses, black cherries and currants can all be found in the bouquet of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s silky in feel with a density of primary fruit mixed with stimulating acids and minerality that the young 2016s are becoming known for. Cooling herbal tones and hints of licorice add further depths, as a coating of fine tannin slowly settles in. This is classically structured and full of potential for the cellar, tapering off to purple-tinged inner florals over a hint of sour citrus and savory spice. Very nice. Drinking window 2024 - 2036.