Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino 2018 (750ML)

99 KO / 97 JD / 94 WA / 94 JS / 94 WS / 94 DE / 94 WE / 17.5 JR

Le Chiuse 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is fragrant, radiant and practically bursting with finesse. Made with organically grown grapes, this is an absolute stunner, offering enticing scents of woodland berry, forest floor, blue flower, eucalyptus and culinary spice. It’s energized and linear, delivering delicious layers of flavor including juicy red cherry, cinnamon, black tea and blood orange accompanied by taut, extremely refined tannins and vibrant acidity. Already showing beautifully, it also has the intensity and radiance to age well for 20 years or more. Drink 2024–2038. Kerin O’Keefe

Expressive and beautifully pure, the 2018 Brunello Di Montalcino offers a gorgeous, sweet perfume of perfectly ripe raspberry eau de vie, crushed roses, delicate baking spice, and well-integrated cedar spice. It is medium-bodied, though it is generous and round with fruit in a long arch, fine tannins, and a soft, stony, mineral texture. Polished with more ripe raspberry, oolong tea, and fresh thyme, it is approachable now but will certainly improve over the next 15-20 years.-Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck

Released in numbered bottles, the Le Chiuse 2018 Brunello di Montalcino (a certified organic wine with fruit sourced from across six hectares) shows punchy and bright aromas that recall dried grape skins or fermentation aromas. It suggests an open or immediate personality. There is a pleasant rawness or authenticity presented here with black cherry, plum, blue flower, cola and rusty nail. This is a true expression from a warm vintage that delivers mid-weight texture and well-managed tannins. It concludes with a hint of sweet cherry liqueur. I tasted number 192 of 18,300 bottles produced.-Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

I like the savory olive, oregano and iodine undertones to the sour cherry and plum fruit. Baking spices, too. Fresh and layered with very finely-knit tannins, bright acidity and a medium to full body. It’s all in balance. Drinkable already, but better after 2023.-James Suckling

A youthful, densely structured red, revealing ripe cherry, strawberry, white pepper, tobacco and iron notes. Despite bearing gruff tannins now, this expressive red shows equilibrium and fine length. Changes quickly in the glass. Best from 2025 through 2043. 1,500 cases made, 300 cases imported.-Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

In leaner vintages like 2018, Lorenzo Magnelli likes to do a bit of bleeding of the must to lend a touch of fruit concentration but this hasn’t denatured the slightly sinewy, linear character of the year. Aromas are earthy and herbal rather than fruity, with fragrant tobacco, roasted coffee and black tea. Confidently extracted, it is decidedly firm but not dry, with crisp forest berries and a juicy core lurking underneath. It finishes with spiced currants. Plenty of promise for the next decade or so.-Michaela Morris, Decanter

An earthy, umami nose recalls an elderly man, coffee in hand, noticing the button mushrooms at the edges of his flowerbeds. Light blackberry aromas strengthen on the palate, and are joined by a drizzle of chocolate and vanilla to push back on continued metallic earthiness and frisky tannins and acid. — Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast

Lustrous mid ruby. Tight, spicy, minerally fruit on the nose with hints of old leather. Tightly knit, tangy cherry fruit with a firm layer of gravelly, ripe tannins. Still not open, and dark and brooding.-Walter Speller, JancisRobinson