2018 Brunello di Montalcino, Scopetone, Tuscany, Italy

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Description

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino, by Scopetone, comes from Brunello’s original Scarnacuoia vineyards, some of the region’s coolest. Yields were lower in 2018, the colour lighter, and the alcohol lower, yet there is still focus on this wine. The old vines give this Brunello an enchanting nose: Cinotto, blue fruits, mineral details, and smoky depth.

Three years in large 33hl oak botti and 12 months in cement allow the wine to relax and smooth. The results are bright, open and composed: peaches and glossy red berries with the bite of pomegranate. The tannins are softer and more cleansing than many vintages, while floral high notes and a minty mineral tang extend the finish.

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Colour Red

Sweetness Dry

Vintage 2018

Alcohol % 14%

Maturity Ready - youthful (2024 - 2046)

Grape List Sangiovese

Body Full Bodied

Producer Scopetone, Tuscany

Critics reviews

Walter Speller 16/20

Mid to deep ruby with bricky rim. Iron, Amarena cherry and hints of gingerbread. Exotic cassis and cherry palate that is clearly very ripe. Very unusual, and hard to see right now how this will develop further.

Drink 2023 - 2030

Walter Speller, JancisRobinson.com (Nov 2022)

Eric Guido 88/100

The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and woodsy in the glass, with wild herbal tones, crushed rocks and plums forming its bouquet. This is round in feel, showing its minerality up front, as brisk acidity helps to enliven the tart wild berry fruits within. The 2018 finishes with medium length and savoury, leaving edgy tannins to tug at the cheeks.

Drink 2025 - 2031

Eric Guido, Vinous.com (Oct 2022)

Michaela Morris 91/100

At lofty elevations near the town of Montalcino, Scopetone totals five hectares. From the now 40-year-old vines, owners Loredana Tanganelli and Antonio Brandi carve out 7,000 bottles of Brunello annually. With forest underbrush, walnut and wet earth, this 2018 makes way for more lifted tones of pressed cherry blossom. Midweight and lightly structured, it flows effortlessly though is still tight through the core. Not an obvious wine, but it has length and balance.

Drink 2023 - 2030

Michaela Morris, Decanter.com (Nov 2022)

James Suckling 92/100

Aromas of hibiscus, orange peel, sour cherries, liquorice and bark. I like the energy and vivacity here, with crunchy citrus and floral undertones matching the medium body and tight-knit tannin frame. Fresh finish.

Drink from 2023.

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (Nov 2022)

Monica Larner 92/100

Only 6,120 bottles were made.

The Podere Scopetone 2018 Brunello di Montalcino has a soft and gentle character that is well suited to the more immediate or near-term vintage profile. There is sour cherry and plum at the start, and the wine maintains that rather tart and fresh personality throughout. Only on the palate are those flavours fleshed out by heavier notes of tobacco, cola and grilled herb. At the end, the wine reverts to those bitter fruit flavours.

Drink 2024 - 2035

Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (Mar 2023)

About this wine

Brunello di Montalcino

Along with Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino is Tuscany's most famous DOCG and its boldest expression of the Sangiovese grape. Located 30 miles south of Siena, its 2,000 hectares of vines are hemmed in by the Orcia, Asso and Ombrone valleys. Brunello is the local name for the Sangiovese Grosso clone from which Brunello di Montalcino should be made in its entirety. The wine cannot be released for sale until five years after the harvest.

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