February 22, 2024 - Brought to dinner at a Park City restaurant so only a splash decant. Nice brunello with some age under it. I suspect it would have been much better with some air. That said, missing that cherry core that I love in BdM.
November 3, 2021 - A little more of everything compared to my last note back from December 18. The wine is approaching its prime as I experience it, but it’s still not there yet. I will have to increase my rating to 93 this time.
September 24, 2021 - I really enjoyed this Brunello Riserva.
As you can imagine it is still young. Tannins are still very pronounced and the acidity is decent.
Despite this, it has a high complexity and, above all, elegance with notes of red fruit typical of Brunello.
Drinking Le Ripi you can smell barrel notes, with aromas of vanilla and wood, scents which if appreciated (as I do) can add particularity to a typical Brunello. These are notes that can be found in few wineries, besides this one I personally tried and recommend Cupano as well.
February 14, 2020 - A friend gave me this a few years ago and he came round to dinner so I thought I would open it. Too young especially being a Riserva but pretty damn delicious anyway. Gave ot loads of air which helped. Beautiful aroma in the glass and excellent fruit driven Brunello with great length. Very good now, but I would say it will be spectacular in around 5 years.
August 25, 2019 - After two hours it filled out elegantly. But not at the top of it’s game yet. No bouquet or finish really. I’ll wait couple years for my next one.
December 24, 2018 - Quite approachable already. Medium+ tannins and acidity. It delivers a concentrated palate with black cherry, plum and tobacco. The balance is really good the relatively young age taking into consideration. Nonetheless, it should definitely be kept in the cellar for further development.
February 6, 2018 - Tasted this at a prepoured event with the winemaker. Definitely the flagship of their wines. At 8 years old, starting to show some roundness, integration, richness, and lushness, while remaining firmly tannic and drying. More concentrated than their other wines. However, I balk at the $132 price for this excellent wine, because I do not find it to be outstanding among Sangioveses in the $100+ range.
July 27, 2017 - Quick tasting at Franci BIO wine shop in Montalcino. Mature and elegant feeling, tobacco, nougat, raisins and wet cherries. Great aging potential according to friendly and enthusiastic Ilaria who worked in the shop, she had an 02 recently that was in excellent condition.
October 30, 2016 - Noticeable elegance and complexity despite its screaming youth. Cherry, spices, blood and herbality. Huge tanic structure, on the way to achieve its balance, so intense, finishing with a deep sweet cherry impact. Unique brunello. 94+
September 2, 2016 - 2010 Brunello Riserva Bacchanalia (Stewart's house): Much more classic nose than the previous wines: clean rosewater, burnt orange peel. Fantastic acidity; soft tannin on a long finish. Less overt and extracted in style than the previous wines.