Bouquet of tobacco and earth. Flavours of cranberry, licorice and tobacco come through. Somewhat tart and tannins are still quite prevalent on the glass and in the mouth. Would recommend leaving this for another few years to let the tannins soften.
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Not decanted. The nose is very expressive. Red roses, dark fruit, and subtle menthol after aeration. The palate is just right. Tannins are soft and subtle, the body is medium with a brief finish. Slight acidity at the beginning is quickly replaced with fruit. Young cherries, cassis, and a finish of licorice. Ready to drink.
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Ce brunello es rendu a un bon endroit dans son devlopement. Nez de cerises et épices,en bouche ca explose de saveurs cerises,griottes ,thé noire,les tannins se resserent un peu en finale,l acidité es balancée et la finale avec la griotte et un soupcon de reglisses.
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Red berries, wet tobacco, hints of leather and caramel. Stronger intensity on the palate than nose with more cherries, tobacco, hints of leather — bright acidity and nice balance. Feels like it’s clearly transitioning and has balance between power and elegance.
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Supper (Dario and Maria's place, North Strathfield): Decanted and left to breathe for about 60 minutes. The decanting didn't really have any impact on the wine - it was big and boisterous; plenty of acid and tannin, the fruit rather lost though touches of cherry, earth and tobacco leaf came through. Remained chewy and chunky over 3 hours of consumption. Phew.
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Popped and poured. Had a lovely bouquet right away that followed into a medium-bodied rush of sour cherry and tuscan earth with just a hint of prune at the end. As time wore on, it became clear that the prune was just how the fruit was expressed--it was not tired/oxidized. Has a long dry finish that lingers. Nice expression of a "typical" Brunello, but had no distinguishing characteristics. At $50, the QPR just isn't there.
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Really good and fresh Brunello. Still appears and tastes young but some earthy notes are there. It’s a bit disjointed mainly because of the high acidity. It’s still very good and enjoyable. A very good value. Recommended.
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Decanted for 2+ hrs, muscular with good acidity and overly firm body. It just lacks finnesse at this point I doubt it will ever get. You are expecting class from the producer/area/price, and when it is not there, it leaves us a bit puzzled.
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14.5% - Clear, med garnet / clean, med to pronounced intensity - cherry, cherry pit, plum, green vein running through, leathery, spice box / dry, med to high zesty acidity, med+ fined grained tannin, med to full body, med+ intensity, persistent finish. Elegant and well structured.
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Moderately translucent, dark cherry red color. Ripe and sweet but moderately restrained nose with aromas of juicy black cherries, some plum marmalade and a hint of sour cherry. Lacking a bit of depth and complexity here. The wine is quite dry and medium-bodied on the palate with flavors of sour cherries, sweeter dark cherries, peppery spice, some tart cranberry, a little bit of meatiness and a hint of tart dark berry. There is some sense of structure with the moderately high acidity and ample but ripe and quite smooth tannins that pack only very light bite. The finish is a bit more grippy and tannic with long and vibrant flavors of sour cherries, stony minerality, tart cranberries, some spicy bitterness and a tangy hint of lingonberry.
A wine that is recognizable as a good Sangiovese, but which lacks the oomph and tightly-knit structure of a young Brunello. Overall this is a good and enjoyable wine, but also quite lackluster and definitely for earlier consumption. The wine might hold on for some more years, but I don't see any point holding this beyond 10 years from its vintage. Lightyears away from the best Castelgiocondo wines.
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Montrant une évolution certaine, présente un bel équilibre d'arômes primaires, secondaires et tertiaires. Fruits rouges confiturés (fraise surtout), épices, bois de santal, tabac blond, cuir et autres notes animales forment un bouquet d'une belle complexité. La bouche suit, belle ampleur, tanins souples, bonne longueur. Vraiment excellent; se laisse boire et on en redemande. À boire maintenant et sur 5 à 7 ans.
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Ok, but an absolute disappointment at the $80 BevMo price. Just not enough "there" there. Took to dinner and it was outclassed by a $30 2009 Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva. 5+10+15+7= 87
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Comme le Campogiovanni 2011, plus accessible et facile que le 2010 en ce moment. Nez sur les fleurs et la terre avex des épices. En bouche, assez ample et long, légère chauffe.
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Quite deep and dark yet moderately translucent ruby red color. Quite ripe yet somewhat dusty and underwhelming nose with slightly sweet-toned aromas of ripe sour cherries, some licorice, a little bit of fragrant Asian spices, a hint of juicy dark plum and a touch of sappy greenness. The wine is rather full-bodied, ripe and juicy on the palate with pretty savory flavors of sour cherry bitterness, sweeter-toned blackberries, some peppery spice, a little bit stuffy oak character, light umami meatiness and a hint of dusty earth. The structure relies more on the moderately high acidity than on the quite ample yet ripe, gentle and textural tannins. The finish is long, somewhat grippy and quite savory with lengthy flavors of peppery spice, ripe dark berries, some stuffy oak character, a little bit of dusty earth and a hint of tart crowberry.
A big, quite ripe and pretty extracted Sangiovese that is lacking the freshness, purity and vibrancy the best varietal examples show. Normally Castelgiocondo Brunellos are very big and muscular, but also very impressive and harmonious blockbusters. This vintage, on the other hand, lacks the power and intensity I expect of this wine, coming across as ripe yet not particularly fresh, vibrant or that structured. Quite unimpressive effort for the label, lacking focus and depth. Might gain some complexity and harmony with age, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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I was happily surprised by the ‘11 Castelgiocondo, as a bouquet of intense cherry liquor, dried orange peel, minerals and spice greeted me. On the palate, it displayed a sweet and savory mix of tart cherry, savory spice, minerals and fine tannin. The finish was refined with dried strawberry, leather and a light austerity, which was quite welcome.
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Very nice example of a Brunello. I was lucky enough to try the 2010 which is superior in complexity to the 2011 on the grounds of the winery in Montalcino looking over the Hills of Tuscany. One of life's finer moments. I don't mean to sell the 2011 short it has dark ruby colour with black fruit and complex herbs such as basil, mint and a bit of chocolate. A nice long finish but needs a few more years I would say 2018 - 2020.
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Benvenuto Brunello - Toronto 2016: Quite a charming wine built on rosemary, dry soil, and lightly candied cherry. A low intensity nose, but revealing some traditional character in any case. The palate is more firm with high tannin high acid and a medium finish. Doesn't posses the complexity or stuffing of the 2010's and a few notches behind it's 2010 counterpart.
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The nose showed intense dark red fruits, spice, cedar, and hints of mocha. With time in the glass, dark floral tones came forward, along with a hint of oak. On the palate, a rush of ripe red fruit was contrasted by zesty acidity and spice over a veil of silky textures. It finished on tart cherry and a lingering note of crushed flowers.
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4/20/2024 - erikssond Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Too much dark/dried fruit for my taste, would have liked to tried it younger.
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3/18/2023 - JustGab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good. Ready to drink now but could easily hold for another 5 to 7 years.
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4/25/2022 - shurpa14 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wonderful. In a perfect spot. I would drink up now a perfectly matured Brunello.
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12/9/2021 - elevation02 wrote: 92 Points
Simply divine!
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11/22/2021 - elevation02 wrote: 91 Points
Fabulous wine!
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3/20/2021 - rbfoote wrote: 90 Points
Bouquet of tobacco and earth. Flavours of cranberry, licorice and tobacco come through. Somewhat tart and tannins are still quite prevalent on the glass and in the mouth. Would recommend leaving this for another few years to let the tannins soften.
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2/14/2021 - Waël Likes this wine: 94 Points
Not decanted. The nose is very expressive. Red roses, dark fruit, and subtle menthol after aeration. The palate is just right. Tannins are soft and subtle, the body is medium with a brief finish. Slight acidity at the beginning is quickly replaced with fruit. Young cherries, cassis, and a finish of licorice. Ready to drink.
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1/31/2021 - brunelle wrote:
Éléonore et Hugues
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11/22/2020 - bsouligny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ce brunello es rendu a un bon endroit dans son devlopement. Nez de cerises et épices,en bouche ca explose de saveurs cerises,griottes ,thé noire,les tannins se resserent un peu en finale,l acidité es balancée et la finale avec la griotte et un soupcon de reglisses.
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9/20/2020 - OaktownRush Likes this wine:
Red berries, wet tobacco, hints of leather and caramel. Stronger intensity on the palate than nose with more cherries, tobacco, hints of leather — bright acidity and nice balance. Feels like it’s clearly transitioning and has balance between power and elegance.
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8/19/2020 - similia wrote: 91 Points
I really liked this one opulent dark fruit, but great acidity, doesn't feel fat at all
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7/3/2020 - chatters wrote:
Supper (Dario and Maria's place, North Strathfield): Decanted and left to breathe for about 60 minutes. The decanting didn't really have any impact on the wine - it was big and boisterous; plenty of acid and tannin, the fruit rather lost though touches of cherry, earth and tobacco leaf came through. Remained chewy and chunky over 3 hours of consumption. Phew.
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10/26/2019 - shurpa14 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Delicious. Still plenty of life but in a great spot now.
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10/12/2019 - Matt21 wrote: 91 Points
Beautiful body to this wine. Served with fresh pasta and lamb Ragu.
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9/26/2019 - caesar77 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Popped and poured. Had a lovely bouquet right away that followed into a medium-bodied rush of sour cherry and tuscan earth with just a hint of prune at the end. As time wore on, it became clear that the prune was just how the fruit was expressed--it was not tired/oxidized. Has a long dry finish that lingers. Nice expression of a "typical" Brunello, but had no distinguishing characteristics. At $50, the QPR just isn't there.
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4/13/2019 - shurpa14 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Really good and fresh Brunello. Still appears and tastes young but some earthy notes are there. It’s a bit disjointed mainly because of the high acidity. It’s still very good and enjoyable. A very good value. Recommended.
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11/27/2018 - Lyubomir Lefterov wrote: 89 Points
Decanted for 2+ hrs, muscular with good acidity and overly firm body. It just lacks finnesse at this point I doubt it will ever get.
You are expecting class from the producer/area/price, and when it is not there, it leaves us a bit puzzled.
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10/14/2018 - SiR wrote: 90 Points
14.5% - Clear, med garnet / clean, med to pronounced intensity - cherry, cherry pit, plum, green vein running through, leathery, spice box / dry, med to high zesty acidity, med+ fined grained tannin, med to full body, med+ intensity, persistent finish. Elegant and well structured.
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2/8/2018 - fc1910 wrote:
Mövenpicks 70th Anniversary (Mövenpick winestore, Hamburg, Germany): One glass, brief note: very accessible on the palate, not that great structure, rich in black fruit, sweet wood from the barrel, hmmmm, not that impressive, **(+ -?), 87+potential
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12/28/2017 - PapaGreenz wrote:
Mistake in entering
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10/1/2017 - HODGO17 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love this wine...a very nice brunello...fruity...
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9/20/2017 - forceberry wrote: 88 Points
Moderately translucent, dark cherry red color. Ripe and sweet but moderately restrained nose with aromas of juicy black cherries, some plum marmalade and a hint of sour cherry. Lacking a bit of depth and complexity here. The wine is quite dry and medium-bodied on the palate with flavors of sour cherries, sweeter dark cherries, peppery spice, some tart cranberry, a little bit of meatiness and a hint of tart dark berry. There is some sense of structure with the moderately high acidity and ample but ripe and quite smooth tannins that pack only very light bite. The finish is a bit more grippy and tannic with long and vibrant flavors of sour cherries, stony minerality, tart cranberries, some spicy bitterness and a tangy hint of lingonberry.
A wine that is recognizable as a good Sangiovese, but which lacks the oomph and tightly-knit structure of a young Brunello. Overall this is a good and enjoyable wine, but also quite lackluster and definitely for earlier consumption. The wine might hold on for some more years, but I don't see any point holding this beyond 10 years from its vintage. Lightyears away from the best Castelgiocondo wines.
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8/27/2017 - ChopperWine Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite youthful, fruity with some spice. Also, cherry, bitter orange with a nice floral nose. Dryer than I expected, but not in an unpleasant way.
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8/26/2017 - HODGO17 Likes this wine: 89 Points
fantastic italian brunello
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7/17/2017 - Le Vinophile Likes this wine: 92 Points
Montrant une évolution certaine, présente un bel équilibre d'arômes primaires, secondaires et tertiaires. Fruits rouges confiturés (fraise surtout), épices, bois de santal, tabac blond, cuir et autres notes animales forment un bouquet d'une belle complexité. La bouche suit, belle ampleur, tanins souples, bonne longueur. Vraiment excellent; se laisse boire et on en redemande. À boire maintenant et sur 5 à 7 ans.
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5/30/2017 - kbcadeponei wrote: 90 Points
Fruitfull and nicely spiced showing tenderness and serenity despite its young stage. 90
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5/14/2017 - RussK wrote: 91 Points
Russk. Wine Spectator Gran Tour at the Fontainebleau.
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3/9/2017 - fingers wrote: 87 Points
Ok, but an absolute disappointment at the $80 BevMo price. Just not enough "there" there. Took to dinner and it was outclassed by a $30 2009 Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Riserva. 5+10+15+7= 87
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3/7/2017 - Ktstefanopoulos Likes this wine: 91 Points
Easy to drink, perfect with fish or duck – good even after several years
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1/21/2017 - abuchanan Likes this wine: 95 Points
This was fantastic.
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1/10/2017 - maxima wrote: 89 Points
Comme le Campogiovanni 2011, plus accessible et facile que le 2010 en ce moment.
Nez sur les fleurs et la terre avex des épices.
En bouche, assez ample et long, légère chauffe.
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1/3/2017 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cherry, spice, orange rind and floral bouquet nose. Dry, med-full bodied; good flavours and texture, balanced tannin and freshness. 375mL bottle.
4/5
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10/15/2016 - Blacksmith450 wrote: 90 Points
Déjà accessible et profond. Il va aller loin.
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9/15/2016 - forceberry wrote: 88 Points
Quite deep and dark yet moderately translucent ruby red color. Quite ripe yet somewhat dusty and underwhelming nose with slightly sweet-toned aromas of ripe sour cherries, some licorice, a little bit of fragrant Asian spices, a hint of juicy dark plum and a touch of sappy greenness. The wine is rather full-bodied, ripe and juicy on the palate with pretty savory flavors of sour cherry bitterness, sweeter-toned blackberries, some peppery spice, a little bit stuffy oak character, light umami meatiness and a hint of dusty earth. The structure relies more on the moderately high acidity than on the quite ample yet ripe, gentle and textural tannins. The finish is long, somewhat grippy and quite savory with lengthy flavors of peppery spice, ripe dark berries, some stuffy oak character, a little bit of dusty earth and a hint of tart crowberry.
A big, quite ripe and pretty extracted Sangiovese that is lacking the freshness, purity and vibrancy the best varietal examples show. Normally Castelgiocondo Brunellos are very big and muscular, but also very impressive and harmonious blockbusters. This vintage, on the other hand, lacks the power and intensity I expect of this wine, coming across as ripe yet not particularly fresh, vibrant or that structured. Quite unimpressive effort for the label, lacking focus and depth. Might gain some complexity and harmony with age, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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8/7/2016 - Shiaxonna wrote: 87 Points
Nice and fresh fruited Brunello. Balanced and with soft tannins. Enjoyable!
50+5+11+14+7 (87p)
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7/16/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 93 Points
I was happily surprised by the ‘11 Castelgiocondo, as a bouquet of intense cherry liquor, dried orange peel, minerals and spice greeted me. On the palate, it displayed a sweet and savory mix of tart cherry, savory spice, minerals and fine tannin. The finish was refined with dried strawberry, leather and a light austerity, which was quite welcome.
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6/4/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 91 Points
Quite warm and rich on the nose. Lively and fresh on the palate, lots of structure and grip and quite tight still. Nice length. Hold. 90-91+
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4/23/2016 - CBC52 wrote:
tbd
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4/10/2016 - KEMC Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice example of a Brunello. I was lucky enough to try the 2010 which is superior in complexity to the 2011 on the grounds of the winery in Montalcino looking over the Hills of Tuscany. One of life's finer moments.
I don't mean to sell the 2011 short it has dark ruby colour with black fruit and complex herbs such as basil, mint and a bit of chocolate. A nice long finish but needs a few more years I would say 2018 - 2020.
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3/8/2016 - Wine Canuck wrote: 90 Points
Benvenuto Brunello - Toronto 2016: Quite a charming wine built on rosemary, dry soil, and lightly candied cherry. A low intensity nose, but revealing some traditional character in any case. The palate is more firm with high tannin high acid and a medium finish. Doesn't posses the complexity or stuffing of the 2010's and a few notches behind it's 2010 counterpart.
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1/21/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Benvenuto Brunello - Walk Around Tasting (Drake Hotel - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Open and accessible, less structure than most of the other 2011s tasted today. Moderate length. Good.
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1/19/2016 - Eric Guido wrote: 89 Points
The nose showed intense dark red fruits, spice, cedar, and hints of mocha. With time in the glass, dark floral tones came forward, along with a hint of oak. On the palate, a rush of ripe red fruit was contrasted by zesty acidity and spice over a veil of silky textures. It finished on tart cherry and a lingering note of crushed flowers.
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