Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino 2016 (750ML)

95 VM / 95 JD / 94 WS / 93 WA / 93 JS / 93 DE / 93 WE / 17.5 JR

Dusty earth gives way to dried roses, incense, hints of cedar, sage, currants and black cherries in a display that makes the 2016 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino a very special experience. It’s nuanced and perfumed from start to finish, boasting silky textures contrasted by tart berries and minerals, but with sweet tannins that frame the expression perfectly. Its inner sweetness is balanced by bright acids, creating an almost-juicy sensation, right up until the moment you realize that your palate is aching with youthful tension. There’s so much going on and much more to come, making me wonder what the Poggio al Vento might offer in the 2016 vintage. For now, that doesn’t even matter, because the 2015 Col d'Orcia impresses on nearly every level. - Eric Guido, Vinous Media

The 2016 Col d’Orcia Brunello offers notes of pine resin, black cherry, and dried strawberry aromatics. The palate is concentrated and compact, with dried tomato leaf bitterness and tobacco. The structure is not shy, with a rich core of fruit, bold tannin upfront and just as much acidity to match. This is a bold wine for the 2016 vintage, packed with sun-kissed warmth. It commands time in the cellar, so drinking is recommended over 2026-2041. - Jeb Dunnuck

An earthy, meaty version, sporting black cherry, plum, raw beef, iron and bouillon aromas and flavors. The fruit element intensifies on the palate, playing out on a long finish that is balanced and fresh, showing dusty tannins. Best from 2024 through 2043. - Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

The Col d'Orcia 2016 Brunello di Montalcino is a widely available wine with an ample production of 240,000 bottles. It is also a landmark wine in Montalcino, although it tends to be very vintage-sensitive, with some releases showing much better than others. In the case of the twofold 2015 and 2016 powerhouse vintages, I like both wines about the same. This cooler vintage shows dark fruit and spice, while there's an extra layer of leather or cigar ash at the back. This wine is made with organic fruit. It displays a mid-weight mouthfeel with tight tannins and lively acidity, the kind that will cut through your favorite steak dinner. - Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

A very polished, refined red with berry and flower aromas, as well as hints of citrus and rose petals. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely polish. From organically grown grapes. Give it a year or two to come around, but already very pretty. - James Suckling

This starts off as its usual youthfully reductive self, but with plenty of air it displays appealing perfumes of iris, violet and plum. Midweight and elegant, it seems to defy the generous warmth of the estate’s southwestern site. Nevertheless, layers of dark fruit wrap around the tight, flinty core while dry, powdery tannins give ample support. The finish lingers with spice and garrigue. I suspect this will age slowly and handsomely. - Michaela Morris, Decanter

Underbrush, wild-berry, pipe-tobacco and violet aromas lead the nose. On the full-bodied palate, taut tannins support black cherry, licorice and ground clove. Drink 2024–2031. - Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast

Lustrous mid ruby. Savoury and a little subdued and reductive at the beginning. Wet-earth notes and sour cherry with hints of cassis. Tightly-wound, succulent cherry fruit palate that is stubbornly closed, with long, sandy tannins. The fruit is a little on the skinny side, but this is still embryonic. Long aromatic finish. Grows on you. - Jancis Robinson