Poggio Il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino 2016 750ml

Wine Spectator 94 Points: This Brunello is well-marked by new oak, adding a vanilla note and wood tannins. Black cherry, blackberry, iron and menthol flavors lay underneath. Dusty tannins line the finish, which is long, finding a nice equilibrium. Best from 2024 through 2038. -- Bruce Sanderson

Wine Enthusiast : Aromas of cedar, baking spice and menthol form the subdued nose. The chewy, no-frills palate offers ripe black plum, coconut and sage alongside dusty tannins. Drink 2022–2028. Kerin O’KeefeJeb Dunnuck 91 points The 2016 Poggio il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino is aromatic of sage, dried cherry, and toasted cedar. The palate is fresh with pine, tart red plum, and sweet baking spice. It was aged for 30 months in Slavonian oak and 20 months in French oak. Its freshness makes this welcome to drinking now or over the next several years. Drink 2021-2030.

Jancis Robinson Mid ruby. Tingling cherry fruit on the nose with notes of rum and vanilla. There is purity of fruit underneath the creaminess and rum-baba notes on the palate, but right now the hefty dose of oak prevents it coming through. Chewy tannins on the finish and long creamy notes.   Drinking 2021 - 2026  --  Walter Speller

James Suckling 92 Points: Lots of new wood with some berry and cherry character. Spices, too. Medium body. Fresh finish. Tannic and slightly austere. Needs time to soften and come together. Try after 2024.

Vinous 92 points A lovely mix of incense, crushed violets, dried strawberries, blueberries, allspice and candied ginger forms a sweetly seductive bouquet on the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. It’s velvety-smooth and round in the mouth, yet it maintains balance with floral-laced red fruits and minerals, further enlivened by bright acidity. You hardly notice the slow build of youthful structure taking hold until the finale, where fine tannins clench the senses under an air of minty herbs and autumnal spice. The 2016 will require some time to soften and integrate its oak influence, yet it should emerge as a beautiful expression of the vintage and house style.  Drinking 2025 - 2034 -- Eric Guido