Luce Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (OWC 3)

Description

By James Suckling in 2022 (JS96)

A finely structured and focused Brunello with a complex array of cherries, blackberries, dried roses, bark, licorice and hints of praline. Iodine and oyster shells, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Beautiful texture and balance. Remains fresh and fine until the end.

By Jane Anson in 2023 (JA93)

Inky plum colour, this is full of grip and life, but the alcohol is just a touch intrusive which shortens the finish, adding crème de mur to the fresh raspberry fruits, along with soy, tar, leather and slate. 88ha estate, winemaker Alessandro Marini.

By Wine Advocate in 2023 (WA93)

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is generous and open in personality, but like many other wines from this vintage, the alcohol content is just too high at 15.5%. This is a particular problem when it comes to Sangiovese from Montalcino, a denomination that plays its best cards in terms of elegant, age-worthy wines. A vintage like this is better suited to near and medium-term drinking. It shows sweet cherry, dried raspberry, spice and fragrant rose. The wine is presented in a heavy glass bottle that is graphically beautiful despite its less environmentally friendly implications.

By Wine Spectator in 2023 (WS93)

Rich and plump, this juicy red features cherry, black currant and Mediterranean scrub flavors, with flashes of graphite backed by a swath of muscular tannins, which exert their presence on the finish. Shows fine balance overall. Best from 2025 through 2042.