Le Sommelier is excited about today’s Brunello 2016 releases…

VINTAGES BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
2016 V-MAIL RELEASE

In today’s VINTAGES Brunello V-mail release, we’re pleased to represent three Brunello di Montalcino from the highly regarded 2016 vintage. These wines are available for ordering on LCBO’s VINTAGES page here.

“It’s Montalcino’s Time to Shine. If I had to think of one way to universally describe the majority of wines from the 2016 vintage, I would offer that they are like a well-muscled black stallion in its prime. They are dark yet radiant, expressive, nearly explosive at times, yet pure, poised and structured. These are wines that capture your imagination; and no matter how youthfully tense they are today, you simply can’t help but revisit a glass over and over again; because in many cases, the aromatics alone are intoxicating. I frankly cannot remember the last time I tasted young wines from Montalcino that possessed such symmetry from start to finish.” – Eric Guido, Vinous

“Brunello di Montalcino 2016 Vintage rating: 5/5. Warm but not excessive, with sufficient well timed precipitation and significant diurnal temperature differences. The 2016 vintage offers structured, ageworthy wines with profound depth, soaring acidity and plenty of drinking pleasure.” – Michaela Morris, Decanter

“If you ever wanted a Brunello di Montalcino for your cellar to age for decades, then buy the 2016 vintage when the wines come out in the market in January 2021.” James Suckling

“After the incredible success of the 2016 Barolos that debuted last year, the clamor surrounding the just-released 2016 Brunellos has been almost deafening. So, do the 2016 Brunellos live up to the intense hype? Overall, yes. These wines are far superior to the 2015s, the product of an extremely hot year that was erratic and didn’t live up to its own hype. The 2016s are even better than the highly acclaimed 2010s and are in line with classic vintages like 2004 and 2001.” – Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast

Donatella Colombini Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne 2016

“Opening to a dark color and rich concentration, the Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Prime Donne (with 6,600 bottles made) shows a lot of fun character. I want to say that the wine is more modern or contemporary in style, but that’s not really true. Yes, there’s more fruity richness here, but the bouquet is also very vertical in intensity, lifted and bright. There’s a fine spot of sweet cheery and tart apple skin. There is no heaviness. The fruit comes from a six-hectare site at a low 225 meters above sea level with medium-rich soils and lots of clay. That richness that I described evidently comes from the site, more than it does the cellar. If you enjoy a softer side to Brunello, you should seek the welcoming comfort of Prime Donne. Drink date: 2024-2045.” 96 points, Monica Larner, robertparker.com, November 30, 2020.

Read more about Donatella Cinelli Colombini here.

Appellation : DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
Region : Toscana, Italy
Grape(s) : Sangiovese
Price : $109.00 for 750mL
LCBO : 14855

Canalicchio di Sopra Brunello di Montalcino 2016

“Another great interpretation for this firm. On the nose, alcohol-infused marasca cherries with touch of undergrowth from fresh marjoram. Balsamic in the mouth, a pleasant juiciness and tautness. Officinal fresh notes returning on the finish.” 98+ points, Luca Gardini, gardininotes.com, 2020.

Read more about Canalicchio di Sopra here.

Appellation : DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
Region : Toscana, Italy
Grape(s) : Sangiovese
Price : $93.00 for 750mL
LCBO : 125070

Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2016

“A red with dark cherry, plum and hints of milk chocolate on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with layers of fruit and velvety tannins. Flavorful, if a bit tight at the finish. Serious Brunello. Drink after 2024.” 95 points, jamessuckling.com, November 11, 2020.

Read more about Fanti here.

Appellation : DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
Region : Toscana, Italy
Grape(s) : Sangiovese
Price : $77.00 for 750mL
LCBO : 20518

Most of our producers are small, independently owned and operated businesses, like ours. You can view our complete portfolio here. Thank you for letting us share these producers and wines with you.

Cheers,

Le Sommelier
416.603.7026
bernard@lesommelier.com

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