97 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Forest berry, spice, hay and menthol aromas mingle with whiffs of new leather on this stunning, fragrant Brunello. A top-scorer vintage after vintage, the 2018 combines elegance and a full body, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, licorice and ground clove alongside firm but refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized while a saline mineral note adds depth to the finish. Drink: 2026–2038. (Nov 2022)"
96 points Luca Gardini: "The ‘basis’ of Ciacci Piccolomini house, another excellence of this winery. Great tension to the nose, red currant, nuances of laurel and eucalyptus. Juiciness and tension to the palate, brackish tannins, fruity-balsamic return on the closure. (Oct 2022)"
95 points James Suckling: "Roasted herbs, walnuts, olives, dried cherries and balsamic on the nose with a touch of leather and sage. It’s full-bodied with firm, finely-knit tannins. Creamy and so well integrated with depth and class. Try after 2024. (12/11/22)"
95 points Susan Hulme MW (The Wine Independent): "This 2018 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone in the southeast of the appellation produces wines that combine power and elegance. The 2018 is medium ruby colored with plenty of sweet oak-spice and bright, red cherry fruit here and there. There’s lots of charm on the palate and it is a wine that is very gracefully melded together. There is a beautifully refined quality to the tannins. The finish is lingering, creamy and elegant. This wine has so much charm and drinkability. It is not huge wine but it accurately reflects the vintage and it is very appealing. Drink: 2023-2038. (Feb 2023)"
94 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino turns out beautiful results if you choose to drink the wine now, or if you opt to age it a little longer. It offers immediate intensity and complexity with a prelude of red and purple berry fruits that follow to tarry spice, campfire ash, licorice and rusty nail. Those savoy tones are well measured against the wine's elegant, mid-weight finish. And the tannins are integrated seamlessly. The winemaking team has worked well in a challenging vintage. Drink: 2024-2038. (Mar 2023)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$90 list] Dense and brooding, revealing plum, cherry, earth, menthol and tobacco flavors. On the austere side today, with buried fruit and dominant tannins, yet this has fine equilibrium and extended length. Best from 2026 through 2043. (4/5/23)"
92 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and brooding, taking its time to blow off a whiff of mocha before opening up with a mix of dried red fruits, cloves and rosemary. This is surprisingly pure and lifted in style while maintaining elegance, as ripe red and black fruits cascade across a core of vibrant acidity. The 2018 leaves the palate buzzing with residual tension, as fine-grained tannins penetrate deeply, and hints of tart wild berry and a dusting of cocoa slowly fade. Drink: 2024-2031. (Dec 2022)"
96 points Luca Gardini: "The ‘basis’ of Ciacci Piccolomini house, another excellence of this winery. Great tension to the nose, red currant, nuances of laurel and eucalyptus. Juiciness and tension to the palate, brackish tannins, fruity-balsamic return on the closure. (Oct 2022)"
95 points James Suckling: "Roasted herbs, walnuts, olives, dried cherries and balsamic on the nose with a touch of leather and sage. It’s full-bodied with firm, finely-knit tannins. Creamy and so well integrated with depth and class. Try after 2024. (12/11/22)"
95 points Susan Hulme MW (The Wine Independent): "This 2018 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone in the southeast of the appellation produces wines that combine power and elegance. The 2018 is medium ruby colored with plenty of sweet oak-spice and bright, red cherry fruit here and there. There’s lots of charm on the palate and it is a wine that is very gracefully melded together. There is a beautifully refined quality to the tannins. The finish is lingering, creamy and elegant. This wine has so much charm and drinkability. It is not huge wine but it accurately reflects the vintage and it is very appealing. Drink: 2023-2038. (Feb 2023)"
94 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino turns out beautiful results if you choose to drink the wine now, or if you opt to age it a little longer. It offers immediate intensity and complexity with a prelude of red and purple berry fruits that follow to tarry spice, campfire ash, licorice and rusty nail. Those savoy tones are well measured against the wine's elegant, mid-weight finish. And the tannins are integrated seamlessly. The winemaking team has worked well in a challenging vintage. Drink: 2024-2038. (Mar 2023)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$90 list] Dense and brooding, revealing plum, cherry, earth, menthol and tobacco flavors. On the austere side today, with buried fruit and dominant tannins, yet this has fine equilibrium and extended length. Best from 2026 through 2043. (4/5/23)"
92 points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and brooding, taking its time to blow off a whiff of mocha before opening up with a mix of dried red fruits, cloves and rosemary. This is surprisingly pure and lifted in style while maintaining elegance, as ripe red and black fruits cascade across a core of vibrant acidity. The 2018 leaves the palate buzzing with residual tension, as fine-grained tannins penetrate deeply, and hints of tart wild berry and a dusting of cocoa slowly fade. Drink: 2024-2031. (Dec 2022)"
| Product SKU | 346245 |
| Producer | Ciacci Piccolomini |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| SubRegion | Brunello di Montalcino DOCG |
| Varietal | Sangiovese |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.5% |
| Ships To |
