97 Points from Wine Enthusiast! The Costanti family has owned this 10 hectare estate for over 200 years. Andrea Costanti inherited it from his uncle in the mid-1980s and has worked hard to take it to its current position as one of the very best in Montalcino. The style is characterised by a striking elegance and intensity, combining the power of Montalcino with the elegance that comes from vineyards situated at a high altitude in the northern part of the zone. The vineyards are planted over 400 metres above sea level on galestro soil – a soil type that is typical of the area. This friable rock soil is also found in Chianti Classico and is particularly suited to the production of top-quality Sangiovese.
97 points Kerin O`Keefe, Wine Enthusiast: Extremely elegant and focused, this compelling wine defies the heat of the vintage, starting with a heady fragrance of ripe dark-skinned berries, violet, camphor, dark spice and whiffs of crushed herbs. On the linear, elegantly structured palate, tightly woven but extremely polished tannins accompany juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, liquorice and white pepper while fresh acidity keeps it balanced and fresh
93 points, Eric Guido, Vinous.com: An alluring, spicy and dusty mix of cherry and raspberry preserves, crushed stone and dusty flowers is lifted by cedar shavings and dried citrus peels as the majestic 2017 Brunello di Montalcino blossoms in the glass. This is fleshy yet delicate in feel, displaying pure ripe red berry fruit, nicely contrasted by salty mineral tones, and lacking only a bit of midpalate depth that might take it to the next level. It tapers off long while leaving the mouth watering for more, as a gentle tug of tannin slowly fades under rosy inner florals. Andrea Costanti didn’t produce a Riserva in 2017, and so all of that juice was used to try to bolster the Brunello. From what I’ve tasted, I’d say he succeeded.
94 points, Michaela Morris, Decanter: Andrea Costanti has crafted an appetising and characterful 2017, expressive without being over-exuberant or pushed. He reports doing more extraction than usual, with extended post-fermentation macerations as skins were thick and healthy. The tannins are textured and gritty without being green or bitter. While this doesn’t have the profoundness of 2016 or the silkiness of 2015 there is much charm in its vigour. Polished wood, subtle smoke, plum and bay leaf emerge from a backdrop of dry, dusty earth while concentrated acidity keeps it vibrant. One of the stars of the vintage.
17++ points, Walter Speller, Brunello 2017 – A to L, JancisRobinson.com: Just mid ruby. Lifted nose that is a little ethereal and hinting at concentrated cherry fruit. Super-elegant palate and yet lots of concentration and fine, long tannins. Poised.
2017 vintage: The 2017 vintage commenced with a cool and wet spring, with episodes of frost. By June, temperatures had risen significantly and the dry and hot weather continued over the entire summer, prompting the need for careful canopy management in the vineyards. These conditions dramatically reduced yields and resulted in bunches of smaller berries with concentrated flavour profiles and excellent ageing potential. A routine harvest took place between 21st and 25th September.
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