Salicutti Brunello di Montalcino Sorgente 2019

98 points Kerin O'Keefe: "Smooth and delicious, the 2019 Salicutti Sorgente Brunello is gorgeous. The latest vintages are among the best I’ve had from Salicutti, and this wine is the best of all so far. It delivers classic Sangiovese aromas of violet, ripe forest berry, underbrush, leather and spice that on the delicious palate become more defined as ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, licorice and tobacco. Firm, ultra-refined tannins offer enveloping support while bright acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2029–2039. Abv: 14%. (Nov 2023)"

97 points Decanter: "The highest of Salicutti’s vineyards, Sorgente sits on heavier clay with a slight incline to the southwest. It is usually the last to be picked and was previously destined for the estate’s Rosso di Montalcino – yet this 2019 makes for a very convincing Brunello, demonstrating Sangiovese’s ability to soar weightlessly while reaching great depths. A splendid precision of peony, red currant blossom and red cherry aromas accompanies a sumptuousness to the palate, where plump red plum and watermelon are underscored by brilliant citrussy acidity. Suede-like tannins seem almost an afterthought, yet hold this wine together effortlessly. Just 3,000 bottles produced. Drinking window 2025-2038 (Nov 2023)"

96 points Monica Larner (Wine Advocate): "This wine comes from a vineyard site with compact clay soils and sees extended skin maceration. It comes as no surprise therefore to find extra concentration and intensity in the Salicutti 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Sorgente. This is a wine of impeccable balance that pits dark fruit weight against lifted, almost ethereal aromas. This is a difficult line to walk, and the Sorgente proceeds beautifully. On the one hand, you get a warm toasted note of roasted chestnut, brioche or sweet challah bread, and on the other, you get tart redcurrant and grenadine. There is an upward fruit crescendo that matches the chalky, fine-grained nature of the tannins. This wine ends on the proverbial high note. To think that Sorgente used to make the estate's Rosso di Montalcino, and now it has come this far. Drink: 2026-2043. (12/14/23)"

96 points Ian D'Agata (Terroir Sense): "Drop-dead gorgeous Brunello. Good full ruby-red colour. Nicely ripe aromas of sultry red cherry, lead pencil, menthol, minerals and violet. Then juicy, intense and nicely delineated, with noteworthy clarity and cut to the deep flavours of red berries, tobacco, minerals and cedar. Closes very long and silky-sweet and with rising intensity. This vineyard is called sorgente or “source” because it is especially rich in underground water: in 2019 it has given a tremendous Brunello, very different from the classic 2019 Brunello. Utterly beautiful, this will turn quite a few heads. Drinking window: 2030-2042. (Mar 2024)"

96 points James Suckling: "Black-cherry, bark, rose-stem and tea aromas follow through to a medium body with firm tannins and a tight, chewy finish. Reductive and holding back. From organically grown grapes. Better after 2028. (9/25/23)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "A pretty red, elegant and delicate, with no shortage of strawberry, raspberry and rose flavors. Harmonious and solidly built, with vibrant acidity and a dense line of tannins guarding the mineral-infused finish. This really increases in intensity. Best from 2026 through 2042. (Mar 2024)"

94+ points Eric Guido (Vinous): "The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Sorgente is like a veritable florist shop on the nose, blending roses and jasmine with lavender and wet stone before giving way to dried strawberries. It sweeps across the palate with textures of pure silk energized by zesty acidity as mineral-laced wild berry fruits add a crunchy sensation toward the close. The 2019 finishes with a pleasantly bitter tinge. An herbal thrust and flinty tannins clamp down hard, reminding the taster that this youthful Brunello is just at the start of its long journey to maturity. Drink: 2026-2036. (Dec 2023)"