Reviews & Ratings

2018 Frescobaldi Italian (Tuscany) Red "CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino"

Winery: Frescobaldi

Vintage: 2018

Wine Name/Vineyard: "CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino"

Wine Category: Italian (Tuscany) Red

Grape blend: 100% Sangiovese

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Tuscany

State or country: Italy

Price: $70

Cases produced: 27,500

KWG Score: 94 (based on 5 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)

Review date: March 11, 2024

Wine Review: This brilliant ruby colored Brunello di Montalcino from Frescobaldi is very good. It opens with an inviting black cherry and cedar bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with moderate plus acidity. The mouthfeel is nicely balanced, smooth, seamless, and easy to drink. The flavor profile is a tasty slightly tart cherry and cedar plank blend with notes of graphite and red plum. I also detected hints of cinnamon and oolong tea. The finish is dry, and its moderate dusty tannins linger and last for quite some time. I would pair this very versatile and approachable Brunello with Granda's lasagna. Enjoy - Ken

Winemaker Notes: The 2018 CastelGiocondo is an intense shade of ruby red. CastelGiocondo is always set apart by its elegance, and in this vintage, this characteristic is more marked than ever. The fruity notes, the first to hit our olfactory receptors, are dominated by blueberry and blackberry, flanked by blackcurrant and other berries. They are followed by floral hints of violet and dog rose, which are always found in the bouquet of the best Brunello di Montalcino. Next on the nose are clear spicy notes of black pepper and cardamom, chased by a pleasant aroma of licorice. On the palate, the tannins are dense but not harsh, accompanied by delicate mineral notes. The consistency between the nose and palate and the long and persistent finish makes it particularly balanced.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell CastelGiocondo 2018 Brunello di Montalcino.